U.S. track and field star Sha’Carri Richardson, a former runner at LSU, failed a drug test and could miss the Olympic Games this month in Tokyo, according to multiple media reports.
The news broke Thursday and was first reported by the Jamaica Gleaner, a leading newspaper in that country. It was later confirmed by Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Tyler Dragon.
Quoting a source, Dragon reported that Richardson did not test positive for a performance-enhancing drug but for marijuana.
According to a source, American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson failed a drug test and could miss Olympics. The @JamaicaGleaner was first.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) July 2, 2021
That would lessen her penalty but still could cause a 30-day suspension and disqualify her eye-opening performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, where she won the 100-meter dash in 10.86 seconds.
Reached by phone Thursday, LSU track and field coach Dennis Shaver said he hadn’t spoken to Richardson on Thursday and couldn’t confirm the report. He did say that in Richardson’s lone year at LSU in 2019, she didn’t fail any drug tests.
Reached by phone Thursday, LSU track and field coach Dennis Shaver said he hadn’t spoken to Richardson on Thursday and couldn’t confirm the report. He did say that in Richardson’s lone year at LSU in 2019, she didn’t fail any drug tests.