EUGENE, Ore. — A U.S. Olympic hopeful could miss the Tokyo Games after testing positive for marijuana.
Sha’Carri Richardson has accepted a one-month ban from the US Anti-Doping Agency after she tested positive for 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (Carboxy-THC), a urinary metabolite of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, marijuana, and hashish.
“The rules are clear, but this is heartbreaking on many levels; hopefully, her acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to us all that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this one to her,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart.
Richardson recently won the 100-meter final at the U.S. Olympic Trials and was expected to compete in the 200-meter this weekend in Stockholm, but was omitted from the event’s entry list.
Her Olympic Trials win has been vacated, according to the USADA. The 21-year-old could still compete in the Olympics if selected by the U.S. Track and Field team. But, she will miss the women’s 100-meters event at the Olympics.
The Tokyo Games begin July 23rd. Richardson’s suspension began on June 28th, says the USADA.
24/7 Newsource contributed to this article
