The US Anti-Doping Agency has stripped Olympic athlete Tara Davis-Woodhall of her national indoor title after she tested positive for cannabis, the agency announced Tuesday.
The agency said THC was found in the US long jumper’s system and stemmed from a test in which a sample was collected for the 2023 USA Track and Field indoor championship competition she participated in February in Albuquerque, New Mexico. THC is a substance found in cannabis, marijuana and hashish.
Davis-Woodhall, 23, was also sentenced to a one-month suspension, which she began serving on March 21. The suspension has since been lifted.
Her positive test result means she will be excluded from all competitive results attained on and succeeding February 17, including relinquishing all medals, points and prizes.
“In an effort to aid athletes, as well as support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to file and update athlete Whereabouts, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements, as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs,” USADA wrote in a statement on its website.
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency, THC permits an abridged three-month suspension if the athlete ascertains the substance was taken out of competition and unconnected to sport performance. USADA said Davis-Woodhall’s case was cut to one month for the aforementioned and due to her completion of a substance abuse treatment program for her use of cannabis.
A similar outcome occurred for US sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson who made international headlines for her pique performance in 2021. She would eventually clinch a spot at the Tokyo Olympics. Her title victory in the women’s 100 meters track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon was revoked after testing positive for marijuana.
While her suspension ended after a month, USA Track and Field decided not to select her as part of the women’s 4×100-meter relay pool, eliminating her from joining the Olympic team.
