Sha’Carri Richardson Questions Decision to Let Russian Figure Skater Kamila Valieva Compete in Olympics After Testing Positive For Drugs

(HOLLYWOOD, CA) Sports News: Upcoming US Track Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson is questioning why she was not allowed to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for marijuana, while Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva was cleared to compete in the ongoing Winter Olympics in Beijing after testing positive for the banned drug trimetazidine.

“Can we get a solid answer on the difference of her situation and mines?” Richardson asked on Twitter, quote tweeting a USA Today article about the decision to allow Valieva to continue competing. “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 set to represent Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, but was suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for marijuana. She was suspended before the Olympics began. The decision caused major backlash, prompting many to question the prohibition against marijuana.  “Btw THC definitely is not a performance enhance!!!!” Richardson said.

Valieva tested positive for trimetazidine in December. The drug is typically used for chest pain and increases blood flow to the heart but is also categorized as a “hormone and metabolic modulator” by the World Anti-Doping Agency.  The Court of Arbitration for Sport held a hearing on the case on Sunday, where the International Olympic Committee [IOC] asked that the panel suspend her from the competition.

However, the IOC announced on Monday that the 15-year-old skater was permitted to compete, but that her medals will be withheld until her doping case is settled. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said that Valieva’s age was one of the factors in their choice. Richardson further criticized the decision, saying that no Black athlete would not be able to compete with an ongoing case. “It’s all in the skin,” Richardson said.

Ms Richarson took to Twitter and this is what she said (Read below)

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

Not one BLACK athlete has been about to compete with a case going on, I don’t care what they say!!!

— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) February 14, 2022

Btw THC definitely is not a performance enhance!!!!

— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) February 14, 2022

Failed in December and the world just now know however my resulted was posted within a week and my name & talent was slaughtered to the people.

— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) February 14, 2022

It’s all in the skin

— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) February 14, 2022