Sha'Carri Richardson Responds to I.O.C. Allowing Russian Skater To Compete After Failing Doping Test
The runner missed the Tokyo Games after testing positive for marijuana.
American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson made headlines last year when she was left off the U.S. Olympic Team for testing positive for marijuana. Now, the runner is asking why Russian skater Kamila Valieva is allowed to compete after the 15 year-old tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned heart medication that increases endurance.
After the International Olympic Committee decided to allow Valieva to participate in the Beijing Games on Monday, Richardson shared her thoughts on Twitter, writing, “Can we get a solid answer on the difference of her situation and mine? 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 black young lady.”
In its ruling on Monday, the I.O.C. stated that no ceremony would take place until Valieva’s case is resolved if she won a medal. According to Russian antidoping officials, the results of her test, which was taken on December 25, were not confirmed until February 7, after she already competed in the team figure skating competition.
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 black young lady. https://t.co/JtUfmp3F8L
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) February 14, 2022
