The track and field superstar Sha’Carri Richardson has had many ups and downs in her career. However, she has strived to move forward with her recent performances. In the previous month alone, she made a comeback with some wins in her favorite event, the 100m sprint. She took the gold at the Silesia Diamond League and emerged victorious in the prestigious U.S. Championships, leaving her opponents in the dust. However, recently, she shared a look into her macabre past.

The year 2021 was not a good one for Sha’Carri Richardson. Despite her hopes of competing in the Tokyo Olympics, a failed drug test meant that her Olympic dreams were shattered. When she tested positive for THC, the stimulant contained in marijuana, she sparked a controversy in the sports community. While some of her fans supported her, some also spoke out against her. Though Sha’Carri Richardson appeared in some interviews during the ordeal, according to her, she is yet to present the true side with her point of view.

The horrific past of Sha’Carri Richardson

When the trials for the U.S. track and field team began in Oregon, Richardson aced the 100m race. However, a positive drug test ensured that her qualification for the marquee event was not considered. This cost her a spot at the Tokyo Olympics. She might have come far from that discouraging incident, but it is still not over for her. She recently shared a Tweet which contained a video from an old interview she appeared on. Alleging that she was not in complete favor of the interview, she wrote along with the clip, “I’ll never forget, I was forced to do this interview. One day I’ll tell my TRUE story”.

Once again, the comments were filled with equal parts support from her fans and opposition from some others. The clip was from when Sha’Carri Richardson appeared on the TODAY show and was inquired about her side of the story. Richardson revealed that she was raised by her grandmother and got to know about the unfortunate demise of her biological mother from a reporter during an interview. She herself had no idea about the shocking news. The sudden knowledge of this tragedy sent her into a tailspin, and she lost control of her mental state.

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As a way to deal with the jarring loss of her biological mother, she indulged in the consumption of marijuana, which is a banned substance. According to a report by New York Times, she said, “It sent me into a state of emotional panic. I didn’t know how to control my emotions or deal with my emotions during that time.” While we did hear her side of the story, according to her, it was not a true one. Only time will tell if and when Sha’Carri Richardson reveals the same. However, she has time and again spoken out against her disqualification and ban.

Pointing out the double standards

When the United States Anti-Doping Agency announced the positive test, Sha’Carri Richardson agreed to a one-month ban from the sport as her penance. To her fans, she apologized and said, “I greatly apologize if I let you guys down, and I did.” However, in 2022, news broke out that Russian skater Kamila Valieva was allowed to compete at the Olympics despite her testing positive for a banned substance.

Richardson was outraged at the differential treatment and spoke out against the incident. In a Tweet she shared at the time, she said, “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.” Nonetheless, Sha’Carri Richardson has come far since the ordeal took place, and her focus is on her future in the sport of track and field.

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