Sha’Carri Richardson responded to an article that said Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva will not be suspended from the 2022 Beijing Games after testing positive for a heart drug called trimetazidine.
“Can we get a solid answer on the difference of her situation and mines [sic],” Richardson tweeted. “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.”
Richardson was suspended for 30 days in July 2021 after testing positive for marijuana, which was a month after she won the 100-meter race at the U.S. track and field trials for the Tokyo Olympics. Richardson admitted shortly after that she used the marijuana to cope with her mother’s death.
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
On the other hand, Valieva, 15 years old, was said by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that she is a “protected person” and is subject to different rules than an adult athlete. Athletes under 16 aren’t held responsible for taking banned substances, but coaches, doctors, and nutriotionists could be under investigation.
Richardson received much support on social media, while some are still questioning how Valieva is still able to compete.
Sha’Carri Richardson: Tests positive for pot (which is not performance enhancing)
•Banned from OlympicsKamila Valieva: Tests positive for Trimetazidine (which increases blood flow to heart)
•Approved for OlympicsI can’t qwhite put my finger on the difference here🤔 pic.twitter.com/kZhJjWIfhI
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@QasimRashid) February 14, 2022
still absolutely wild that sha'carri richardson was banned for weed and valieva used endurance-building heart medication but is allowed skate because not skating would cause her "irreparable harm" pic.twitter.com/B98LMAVO6u
— alex (@alex_abads) February 14, 2022
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tests positive for Trimetazidine, a performance-enhancing drug, still skating. American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson tests positive for cannabis, not a performance enhancer, suspended immediately. The #Olympics in Black + White. #Beijing2022
— Solonje Burnett (@solonjeburnett) February 11, 2022
