Sha’Carri Richardson may not be competing in the Tokyo Olympics later this month — but brands are lining up to throw money at the 21-year-old sprinter.
Richardson was banned from competing in the Olympics for 30 days after testing positive for marijuana.
Marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug and is legal in several states. Richardson could have competed in the 4×100-meter but was snubbed by the USA Track and Field board of directors.
“First and foremost, we are incredibly sympathetic toward Sha’Carri Richardson’s extenuating circumstances and strongly applaud her accountability — and will offer her our continued support both on and off the track,” a Tuesday statement from officials at USATF said.
“While USATF fully agrees that the merit of the World Anti-Doping Agency rules related to THC should be reevaluated, it would be detrimental to the integrity of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field if USATF amended its policies following competition, only weeks before the Olympic Games,” USATF adds.
A THC company named Dr. Dabber has reportedly offered her a contract to be one of their premier vape spokespeople, usually referred to as “doctors.”
“Considering your talent and grace over these past weeks, we would love to offer you the opportunity to work with our team as a spokesperson for Dr. Dabber. This entails testing our award-winning dab rigs and vape pens as a resident ‘doctor'” they said in a statement obtained by TMZ.
Richardson apologized to the nation in a televised interview the day after the news broke of her suspension.
“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,” she said.
Lawmakers are currently evaluating the policy of marijuana use by atheletes.
