Sha’Carri Richardson suspension criticized by the White House and the US Anti-Doping Agency

Lawyers and government organizations continue to increase support for Sha’Carri Richardson, a young Olympic runner who was disqualified from the American team for testing positive for cannabis in a drug screen.

Not only has Richardson openly spoken about the situation and assumed responsibility for the rule violation, but countless other outlets and social media channels have been grappling with concerns about the archaic drug testing rules. Shocking responses include those from the White House Secretary and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), both of whom lightly suggest a change is needed.

In a first press interview on July 2, US Press Secretary Jen Psaki did not condemn the Olympic officials’ decision to punish Richardson. On July 7th, Psaki made a more personable and frank statement that cannabis restrictions require “another look”.

“It stinks,” she told CNN in an interview. “I don’t think there is a better definition for it. She lost her mother, she went through a tragedy, and she’s also the fastest woman in the world – and I think she’s sending a message to a lot of little girls out there, you can do that, ”said Psaki. “We know the rules are where they are, maybe we should look at them again. In any case, we must respect the role of the US Anti-Doping Agency and the US Olympic Committee and their decisions. But it’s sad. “

USADA complains about the situation

The USADA issued its own statement on the suspension of Richardson. “None of that makes the situation any easier, as the real problem here is finding ways to support athletes struggling with mental health problems similar to hers, where she decided that marijuana use was her only option deal with her emotional pain when it could easily jeopardize her career, “USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart wrote in a press release.

“Our hope is that in the future, sport and society will focus on the core problem of mental health. So we’re finding ways to help athletes with their stress and trauma so that they don’t feel like they have to take a risk that could jeopardize their health, compete and do what they love, ”concluded Tygart.

However, prominent cannabis organizations such as the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) have made clearer statements about the tragedy of the situation with Richardson and the injustice perpetuated by the cannabis ban. “Other sports leagues have lifted cannabis restrictions and it is time both WADA and USADA removed the plant from their banned substances list. Congress has shown its support for lifting the ban, and President Biden should clearly support this reform as well. Current policies are unjustifiable, ”wrote MPP Executive Director Steven Hawkins.

Hawkins notes the hypocrisy and points out that even the Medical Director of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Dr. Alan Vernec, in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, wrote, “There is no evidence of cannabis use as a performance-enhancing drug.” . “

Richardson isn’t the only Olympic injured from draconian guidelines

Of course, this isn’t the first time THC positives have been spotted in Olympic athletes. In early April of this year, swimmer Tate Jackson was given a month-long ban for testing positive for THC in a urine test. Track and field athlete Kahmari Montgomery was also suspended for one month in June.

But nothing is more shocking than getting a gold medal stolen from you for a positive drug test. In 1998, the Canadian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati won the gold medal in giant slalom, which was withdrawn from him because of a positive THC test. “Improving performance isn’t exactly what the word traditionally means,” Rebagliati told NewsNation Now in a July 7 interview.

“Water improves performance. You perform better when you are hydrated. Cannabis should be promoted positively to athletes as an alternative to drugs that are addictive and only mask injuries. Performance enhancing or not, it has no place on the Prohibited Substance List. The IOC really has to be a leader. Cannabis should be more accepted and consumed worldwide. “