Drug scandal rocks Olympics as America’s fastest woman tests positive

This month’s Olympics has been rocked by a major drug scandal after 100m superstar Sha’Carri Richardson reportedly failed a drug test.

Sha'Carri Richardson after winning the Women's 100m final on day 2 of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials.

American sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson could miss the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo after reportedly testing positive for a banned substance.

The 21-year-old qualified for her maiden Olympic birth after a scintillating run in the 100m event at the US Olympic Trials last week.

She registered a time of 10.86 seconds — 0.13 seconds faster than second-place finisher Javianne Oliver — to earn her spot in the United States Track & Field contingent.

But in a bombshell first revealed by The Jamaica Gleaner, Richardson’s performance has been disqualified after she tested positive for a prohibited substance.

The Enquirer’s Tyler Dragon reported Richardson did not use steroids but was facing a 30-day suspension for testing positive to marijuana.

Dragon said Richardson was expected to be replaced for the 100m, but might get to run on the 4x100m relay. It could depend on the date she tested positive and the length of any suspension — and the athletics schedule in Tokyo.

Preliminary races for the individual 100m events start on July 30, while the 4x100m relays commence on August 5.

Should Richardson have her spot on the Olympic team revoked, fourth-placed Jenna Prandini would presumably replace her in the individual 100m event.

Reuters later reported that Richardson would not compete at the Diamond League in Stockholm on Sunday, with her name absent from the event’s entry list.

Richardson posted a cryptic message to social media on Friday morning AEST: “I am human.”

Sha'Carri Richardson was set to be one of the biggest stars of the Olympics. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Richardson won hearts around the world after revealing her biological mother had passed away in the days leading into the Olympic Trials at Hayward Field.

“My family has kept me grounded,” Richardson said after the 100m sprint in Eugene.

“This year has been crazy for me. Going from just last week, losing my biological mother, and I’m still here.

“Last week, finding out my biological mother passed away and still choosing to pursue my dreams, still coming out here, still here to make the family that I do still have on this earth proud. And the fact (is) nobody knows what I go through. Everybody has struggles and I understand that, but y’all see me on this track and y’all see the poker face I put on, but nobody but them and my coach know what I go through on a day-to-day basis.

“I’m highly grateful for them. Without them, there would be no me. Without my grandmother, there would be no Sha’Carri Richardson. My family is my everything, my everything until the day I’m done.”

The news has prompted a wave of reaction about marijuana remaining a banned substance.

Keep ya chin up @itskerrii ♥️💪🏾✨

— Chelsea Hayes, OLY (@DatGirlChels_27) July 2, 2021

Regardless of the outcome, Sha’Carri Richardson you have already inspired so many and truly let your talent speak for itself. This is just the beginning!

— TheLimitDoesNotExist (@sylviamphofe) July 2, 2021

They really love punishing black people over weed don’t they?

The rules should change. The worlds relationship with marijuana is so weird.

I feel for Sha'Carri Richardson. This is really sad.

— Malynda Hale (@MalyndaHale) July 2, 2021

Back in 2018, American sprinter Kahmari Montgomery tested positive for marijuana on April 10 and served a one-month ban from April 30 through May 29 after completing the treatment program.

Originally published as Drug scandal rocks Olympics as America’s fastest woman tests positive