Sha’Carri Richardson Not Named To U.S. Olympic Relay Team

Sha’Carri Richardson has failed to make the U.S. Olympic Relay Team, according to the U.S. Track and Field Association. The news comes just days after her 30-day suspension for marijuana use discovered by a test for the substance by the USATF. Notably, the suspension would not have prevented Richardson from participating in the 4×100 relay. Regardless, she was not named to the squad.

Instead, the team will consist of Javianne Oliver, Gabby Thomas, Teahna Daniels and Jenna Pradini.

After the news was announced, Richardson sent out a tweet expressing both sadness and optimism:

Outside of the recent controversy, Richardson is an incredibly talented runner. She ran the 100-meter sprint in 10.86 seconds while at the qualifying races in Oregon. While in Oregon, Richardson consumed the marijuana that led to her suspension. She states that she used the drug after being told her biological mother had passed.

According to the World Anti-Doping Agency, marijuana is banned because it “[increases] risk taking, [slows] reaction times and [produces] poor executive function or decision making.”

Richardson had hoped to become the first gold medalist for the U.S. in the 100-meter event since 1996. She would have competed against Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who currently holds the fastest time in the world at 10.63 seconds.

The Tokyo Games begin July 23.

Article by David Metzger