Richardson’s suspension will keep her from running in the 2021 Olympics after she tested positive for cannabis.<\/b>
\nPresident Joe Biden told reporters Saturday that he supported the decision to suspend runner and sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson from running in the 2021 Olympics after she tested positive for marijuana. \u00ab\u00a0The rules are the rules,\u00a0\u00bb he said, adding, \u00ab\u00a0I was really proud of the way she responded.\u00a0\u00bb Richardson received national attention last month after winning her qualifying 100-meter race in Oregon. However, she learned around then that her biological mother had passed away, she said, and used marijuana as a way to cope. She tweeted on Thursday a simple line, invoking both sympathy and criticism. \u00ab\u00a0I just say, don’t judge me and I am human\u2014I’m you, I just happen to run a little faster,\u00a0\u00bb she said on NBC ‘s Today show on Friday. \u00ab\u00a0I want to take responsibility for my actions. I know what I did. I know what I’m supposed to do. I know what I’m allowed not to do, and I still made that decision.\u00a0\u00bb While Biden supported the decision to suspend her from racing in the Tokyo Olympics, congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tied the suspension to racism. Ocasio-Cortez and Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland sent a formal letter to the Anti-Doping Agency on Friday urging that the decision be revoked. \u00ab\u00a0Their decision lacks any scientific basis. It’s rooted solely in the systemic racism that’s long driven anti-marijuana laws,\u00a0\u00bb she tweeted on Friday along with screenshots of the letter. She added in a follow-up tweet that a medical doctor from the Anti-Doping Agency confirmed that THC has no direct impact on performance. \u00ab\u00a0Not to mention, marijuana is legal in Oregon where Ms. Richardson was when she used it,\u00a0\u00bb Ocasio-Cortez added. In a statement posted on Twitter, USA Track & Field said Richardson’s situation \u00ab\u00a0is incredibly unfortunate and devastating for everyone involved,\u00a0\u00bb and said that it will \u00ab\u00a0work with Sha’Carri to ensure she has ample resources to overcome any mental health challenges now and in the future.\u00a0\u00bb The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee said in a statement on Friday morning, \u00ab\u00a0While we are heartbroken, the USOPC is steadfast in its commitment to clean competition and it supports the anti-doping code, a positive test for any banned substance comes with consequences and we are working with the USATF to determine the appropriate next steps.\u00a0\u00bb \u00ab\u00a0We are dedicated to providing Sha’Carri the support services she needs during this difficult time,\u00a0\u00bb they added. Newsweek reached out to the Marijuana Policy Project for comment but has yet to receive a response.<\/p>\n