On Friday, far-left Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claimed that the rule prohibiting marijuana use during the Olympics is an “instrument of racist”.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urged the International Olympic Committee to “reconsider” their decision
AOC blames RACISM for Sha'Carri Richardson's Olympic sprint ban https://t.co/eSBtusBLyU
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) July 3, 2021
The comments made by Ocasio-Cortez followed after U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s announcement to suspend Sha’Carri Richardson from competing in the Tokyo Olympics 100-meter race after testing positive for THC, a chemical found in marijuana. The agency also voided the results, prizes, and points that Richardson gained.
The one-month suspension given to Richardson precluded her from the ability to compete in Tokyo Olympics this year. The previous suspension was for three months; it was reduced to one after she agreed to participate in the counseling program.
Marijuana use is technically legal in the state of Oregon. However, earlier this year, Olympics’ anti-doping rule included marijuana in the “substance abuse”. The Anti-doping agency considered the use of the substance as a violation of the rule.
Meanwhile, far-left Democrat representative Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez made a bold statement against the International Olympic Committee; she alleged that the committee should “reconsider” the suspension of Richardson and any other athlete due to cannabis use.
Richardson is not the only athlete who received repercussions due to marijuana use.
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps also received a three-month suspension from the swimming competition. He also lost his Kellogg sponsorship after a picture emerged showing him smoking marijuana pipe back in 2009.
Although Phelps never tested positive for marijuana, he acknowledges the authenticity of the image. According to Phelps, the image was taken six months after the 2008 Olympics and the suspension he had ended right on time for him to compete in the World Championships back in 2009.
Richardson apologized to her fans, family, and sponsorships
Meanwhile, Richardson posted a tweet saying that she is a “human”. She also explained in an interview last Friday that her use of marijuana was “triggered” by the death of her mother.
However, Richardson apologized to her fans, family, and her sponsors for her actions and promised that it will be the last time that she won’t be joining the Olympics.
Sha’Carri Richardson apologizes to her “fans, family and the haters” over her failed drug test pic.twitter.com/s4c8nHekMv
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 2, 2021
On the other hand, the USA Track and Field made a statement saying that the situation that happened to Richardson is unfortunate and is devastating. However, they added that the health and well-being of athletes remains their top priority.
The USATF also pledged to work with Richardson to ensure that she has the support that she needs to overcome the mental and emotional hardships she is facing today and in the future.
Richardson earned a spotlight after her performance at the U.S. Field Trials. She gained the hearts of fans when she showed up with her hair colored orange, fancy nails, nose rings, and broke the world record after winning the 100-meter within 10.86 seconds.
