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Sha’Carri Richardson hascome under much scrutinysince she tested positive for THC, making her ineligible to compete in the Tokyo Olympics.
The fastest woman in America, 21, is taking the backlash in stride as she addresses critics on social media. “All these perfect people that know how to live life, I’m glad I’m not one of them!” RichardsonwroteSaturday on Twitter.
She took time to thank her supporters as well after manyhave had her backand decried the outdated anti-cannabis policy that invalidated her spot on Team U.S.A. “The support my community I thank y’all, the negative forget y’all and enjoy the games because we all know it won’t be the same,” the sprinter posted in anothertweet.
Richardson also set her sights on the future, plotting her comeback at next year’s World Championship. “I’m sorry, I can’t be y’all Olympic Champ this year but I promise I’ll be your World Champ next year,” shewrote.
President Joe Bidenalso commented on Richardson’s suspension Saturday at an event in Michigan, praising her response to the decision. “The rules are the rules, and everybody knows what the rules were going in,” hetold reporters. “Whether that should remain the rule is a different issue, but the rules are the rules. And I was really proud of her, the way she responded.”
After shattering records last month at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon, where recreational marijuana is legal, Richardsontested positive for THC. She subsequently completed a counseling program and accepted a one-month suspension from Team U.S.A., starting June 28, which will keep her from competing in the women’s 100m in Tokyo later this month. She could still compete in the 4x100m relay.
“I am human,” Richardson tweeted beforeopening up about the circumstancesaround her positive drug test onToday. “I know what I did. I know what I’m supposed to do and what I’m allowed not to do, and I still made that decision,” she said in the interview. “But I’m not making an excuse or looking for any empathy in my case.”
Richardson tested positive for THC after finding out during an interviewthat her biological mother died, which she said was a “very heavy topic.”
RELATED VIDEO: Sha’Carri Richardson Says ‘I Am Human’ Amid Suspension from Olympic Team for Positive Marijuana Test
“People don’t understand what it’s like to have to — alright, people do. We all have our different struggles. We all have our different things we deal with,” said Richardson. “But to put on a face, to have to go in front of the world and put on a face and hide my pain, I don’t know … Who am I to tell you how to cope when you’re dealing with pain? Or you’re dealing with a struggle that you’ve never experienced before? Or that you never thought you’d have to deal with?”
To learn more about all the Olympic hopefuls, visitTeamUSA.org. The Tokyo Olympics begin July 23rd on NBC.
source: people.com
