An early breakout star of the trials leading up to the Olympics, the 21-year-old sprinter is nowsuspended from the Olympic team after testing positive for THC, which is the chemical in marijuana. The U.S. Olympic track and field trials were held in Eugene, Oregon, last month, where recreational marijuana is legal, though using the substance is against the sport’s policies.
On Thursday, Richardson seemingly alluded to her suspension, tweeting, “I am human.”
“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. “But I’m not making an excuse or looking for any empathy in my case.”
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Richardson went on to tell hostSavannah Guthrieabout finding out her biological mother had died shortly before she had to compete, a “very heavy topic” for her.
“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, adding of her experience, “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?”
Want to get the biggest stories fromPEOPLEevery weekday?Subscribe to our new podcast,PEOPLE Every Day,to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday.And listen below for more on Sha’Carri Richardson speaking out following herpositive marijuana test.
“I was trying to hide my pain,” said Richardson.
The athlete from Dallas, Texas, quickly became a gold medal contender following her performance. Richardson also went viral for embracing her grandmother immediately after winning the women’s 100m race and punching her ticket to Tokyo.
“I would like to say to my friends, my family, my sponsorship,” she said during theTodayappearance, “to the haters too: I apologize. As much as I’m disappointed, I know that when I step on the track I don’t represent myself, I represent a community that has shown me great support, great love.”
Added Richardson, “I’m human. We’re human. … Don’t judge me, because I am human. I’m you, I justhappen to run a little faster.”
“This will never happen again,” the runner concluded.
Second behind Richardson in the 100m event at trials was Javianne Oliver with 10.99 seconds and third was Teahna Daniels with 11.03 seconds. Both Oliver and Daniels qualified for Tokyo. Fourth in 100m event was Jenna Prandini who finished with 11.11 seconds. Prandini, who will now replace Richardson, qualified for Tokyo in the 200m after placing second.
In a statement addressing Richardson’s suspension, Friday, USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart said, “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.”
source: people.com
