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Why Sha’Carri Richardson Deserves Your Empathy Not Hate
We hear all the time about how budding stars are lifted up and celebrated on their way to the top, and then Boom! Just like that, the tables turn and the glorious ride is over, almost as soon as it began, for reasons that are usually scandalous in nature.
In this case, Olympic track star, Sha’Carri Richardson is currently embroiled in an unfortunate example of what happens when outdated policies impede the spectacular trajectory of a promising young athlete, who is being unfairly vilified for partaking in the medicinal effects of cannabis.
It seems that every few steps we take forward, we always manage to retreat back to the very thing we’re trying to improve.
Richardson has been placed on a month-long suspension, and won’t compete in the women’s 100-meter race at the Tokyo Olympics, as punishment for testing positive for marijuana use. The 21-year-old sprinter has acknowledged and gracefully accepted the decision delivered by the US Anti-Doping Agency. There’s a chance she might be able to compete in the upcoming 4x-100-meter relay race if she happens to be selected.
