Sha’Carri Richardson took to Twitter on Sunday to thank those who supported her following her suspension from the Olympic games. The 21-year-old runner’s 100m Olympic trials win was disqualified after Richardson tested positive for marijuana.
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 😇.— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) July 4, 2021
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 😇.
Athletes from across the sports world came to Richardson’s defense following her one-month ban from the sport, with some, including WNBA star Sue Bird, calling for a change to the marijuana policy.
💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩 🗣 Let Sha’Carri run We all know THC being banned in competition has been outdated forEVERRRR! The crazy part is, it’s only recent that it’s a 1 month ban. It used to be for years. PLURAL!!! Same punishment as steroids etc. This needs to change. Now. https://t.co/8QHVhV1kFz— Sue Bird (@S10Bird) July 2, 2021
💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩 🗣 Let Sha’Carri run We all know THC being banned in competition has been outdated forEVERRRR! The crazy part is, it’s only recent that it’s a 1 month ban. It used to be for years. PLURAL!!! Same punishment as steroids etc. This needs to change. Now. https://t.co/8QHVhV1kFz
My heart is broken for @itskerrii. I think she is an amazing athlete and her personality is superstar level. Marijuana being a banned substance in competition seems… outdated???? And unfair.— Adam Rippon (@AdamRippon) July 2, 2021
My heart is broken for @itskerrii. I think she is an amazing athlete and her personality is superstar level. Marijuana being a banned substance in competition seems… outdated???? And unfair.
I completely agree. I feel for @itskerrii. We need to look at what athletes are being given to deal with the mental and physical demands of their sport. If Xanax and opioids are legal, then marijuana should be too. https://t.co/hnRBSwJT4X— Sydney Leroux (@sydneyleroux) July 2, 2021
I completely agree. I feel for @itskerrii. We need to look at what athletes are being given to deal with the mental and physical demands of their sport. If Xanax and opioids are legal, then marijuana should be too. https://t.co/hnRBSwJT4X
@itskerrii queen I support you. It’s time to break the stigma surrounding athletes use of marijuana. I have my medical card. I play at the highest level my sport has to offer and I use medicinal marijuana for anxiety, recovery, and sleep.— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) July 2, 2021
@itskerrii queen I support you. It’s time to break the stigma surrounding athletes use of marijuana. I have my medical card. I play at the highest level my sport has to offer and I use medicinal marijuana for anxiety, recovery, and sleep.
Others called for Richardson to be reinstated in the 100m race in Tokyo, sparking the trending hashtag #LetShaCarriRun.
This is so trash man… just let her run! https://t.co/tFY8omt215— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 2, 2021
This is so trash man… just let her run! https://t.co/tFY8omt215
Richardson could still race in the 4×100 relay in Tokyo as the event will take place outside of her month-long suspension. Whether or not USATF selects Richardson for the team will surely be a topic of conversation heading into the summer Games.