U.S. sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson suspended for one month after failed drug test

U.S. track sensation Sha’Carri Richardson, who punched her ticket to the Tokyo Games after winning the women’s 100-meter race last month, has been suspended for one month after testing positive for THC, the chemical in cannabis.

Richardson failed a drug test following her Olympic qualifying 100-meter race victory at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon, on June 19, according to the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

“Richardson’s competitive results obtained on June 19, 2021, including her Olympic qualifying results at the Team Trials, have been disqualified, and she forfeits any medals, points, and prizes,” a statement from the USADA said.

She accepted the one-month period of ineligibility that began on June 28, the agency said. While the suspension takes Richardson out of running in her signature event at the Tokyo Games, she may still have a chance to run the 4×100-meter relay.

Athletes who test positive for a substance of abuse, which THC was newly classified as in 2021, usually receive a three-month suspension if they can establish that “their use of the substance occurred out of competition and was unrelated to sport performance.”

Richardson “successfully completed a counseling program regarding her use of cannabis,” which under USADA rules knocks her ineligibility down to one month.

“Right now I’m just putting all of my energy into dealing with what I need to deal with to heal myself,” Richardson said on NBC’s “TODAY” show Friday morning.

“I want to take responsibility for my actions,” she added. “I’m not looking for an excuse.”

“I would like to say to my fans and my family and my sponsorship, to the haters, too, I apologize,” she said. “As much as I’m disappointed, I know that when I step on that track, I don’t represent myself, I represent a community that has shown me great support, great love.”