American Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson emphasizes how upset she is with the doping ruling of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, according to NBC Washington. Richardson has questioned the ruling due to the Toyko Olympics last summer following a positive drug test that held her from running. However, hypocrisy seems to strike again. The latest ruling allows for Valieva to perform even after a positive drug test.
Richardson gained significant recognition in Tokyo following her win in the 100-meter race at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Oregon. However, she tested positive for THC after the race. She admits to smoking marijuana upon learning about her mother’s sudden death. Richardson accepted the one-month suspension that prevented her from running in the Olympics.
In Valieva’s case, the skater tested positive for a banned heart medication, trimetazidine. Oddly, it took six weeks to get test results. However, every sample given by Valieva at the Olympics has come back clean, per The Associated Press. The World Anti-Doping Agency bans trimetazidine because it can give the player a significant advantage. Russia’s Anti-Doping agency initially suspended her for drug tests, but they lifted it the following day. This allowed her to compete without restrictions, although the International Olympic Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency, and International Skating Union appealed the decision.
Controversial ending
According to NBC Washington, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled out Monday that Valieva could finish the 2022 Olympics despite failing pre-games drug tests. They justified their favorable decision to Valieva by stating that she’s 15-years-old and is protected under the World Ant-Doping Code rule book that shifts responsibility to a minor’s entourage.
Reasonably so, Sha’Carri Richardson felt that the ruling was a bit unfair. Especially, compared to her similar situation just a year prior. She decided to rant, via Twitter.
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
As a result of the controversial decision, Sarah Hirshland, the CEO for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee issued a statement:
Attributable to USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland: pic.twitter.com/wbGUIR67eS
— USOPC News (@USOPC_News) February 14, 2022
