Sha’Carri Richardson is keeping her head up after testing positive for marijuana last week.
The test means that Richardson is currently on a 30-day ban from the Tokyo Olympics. Rather than be supportive, some bashed the 21-year-old sprinter on social media.
But her community (most of us) had her back.
“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 😇,” she tweeted.
And she’s right.
Richardson won the 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on June 19. The positive test result would nullify her win and could lead to a one-month or longer suspension from the sport.
On Friday morning, she apologized for the positive marijuana result during an interview with the “TODAY” show.
“I apologize for the fact that I didn’t know how to control my emotions or deal with my emotions during that time,” she said. “Don’t judge me. I am human.… I just happen to run a little faster.”
Richardson shared that she turned to marijuana as a coping mechanism after learning that her biological mother had died. The runner was raised by her grandmother.
“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?” she said.
Several celebrities voiced their support of Richardson being allowed to run in the Tokyo Olympics.
“he notion that weed is a problematic “drug” is rooted in racism. It’s insane that Team USA would disqualify one of this country’s most talented athletes over thinking that’s rooted in hatred. It’s something they should be ashamed of. Also if weed made you fast, I’d be FloJo,” Hollywood actor, Seth Rogan tweeted following Richardson’s public apology.
