American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has blasted the decision to allow Russian Kamila Valieva to continue to compete at the Winter Olympics despite a positive drugs test.
This is in contrast with her case which led to her doping suspension from the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
Richardson was barred from competing at the Olympics after testing positive for marijuana during the US track and field trials in Eugene, where she won the 100 meters.
The 21-year-old Texan was subsequently suspended for 30 days, making her ineligible to participate in Japan where she had been tipped as a medal contender.
Russian figure skater Valieva has been cleared to compete again at the Beijing Olympics despite failing a drug test.
A Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling said that there were “exceptional circumstances” around 15-year-old Valieva, including her age.
But the CAS ruling failed to impress Richardson. Responding on Twitter to a column in USA Today which described the Valieva decision as a “slap in the face” for clean athletes, Richardson wrote: “Can we get a solid answer on the difference of her situation and mines? My mother died and I can’t run and was also favored to place top 3. The only difference I see is I’m a young black lady.”
Richardson admitted using marijuana after her positive test last year, saying she took the drug after learning of her mother’s death.
She also took aim at the fact that Valieva’s sample was provided in December but not tested until February.
“Failed in December and the world just now know however my resulted was posted within a week and my name & talent was slaughtered to the people,” Richardson wrote.
Richardson on Monday also noted that marijuana was “definitely not a performance enhancer!!!”.
