No relay: Banned U.S. sprinter Richardson left off Olympic team

According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, in addition to substances that trigger performance enhancement, 

If weed was "performance enhancing", Snoop Dogg would have all the medals.

I appreciate that "rules are rules" but anti-inflammatories and other synthetic drugs that are ultimately not good for the body are "legal and approved". They can also be very dangerous. Cannabis is a natural plant that has properties that help reduce inflammation and assist in reducing stress. Due to these facts, Cannabis is increasingly becoming legal across the USA and other parts of the world. It's just very unfortunate that this woman is not being given some compassion and allowed to participate in at least one event. She has been training for it for years and years. The world could use more compassion and understanding.

Excuse me, demands a lower heart rate, and demands focus. For example archery for one, THC would lower the heart rate, and allow the athlete to relax, at an advantage to those who didnt use it.

Granted, it would not matter in Track events.....

It doesn't change the fact that this rule is ridiculous.

I highly doubt you would think the rule is ridiculous if you participated in a sport that demands it.

I'm sorry that her Mom died. Pulling her from the US team was the right choice.

It was the only choice.

It doesn't change the fact that this rule is ridiculous.

She is supposed to be a role model in the US. She broke federal law. That makes here a bad example.

Federal law says that using Cannabis is illegal. When that law changes, then the US can attempt to pressure the Olympic testing world and the US Olympic committee to change their rules.

Not before.

I'm sorry that her Mom died. Pulling her from the US team was the right choice.

If she had instead dealt with her sorrow by drowning in alcohol, she would've been ok

"While USATF fully agrees that the merit of the World Anti-Doping Agency rules related to THC should be reevaluated, it would be detrimental to the integrity of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field if USATF amended its policies following competition, only weeks before the Olympic Games... All USATF athletes are equally aware of and must adhere to the current anti-doping code, and our credibility as the National Governing Body would be lost if rules were only enforced under certain circumstances."

USATF sympathizes with her sorrow and believes the marijuana rule should be re-evaluated, but they also have to uphold fairness and the integrity of the institution

Y'know many countries would not have done the same

This rule is ridiculous. They should just drop it for all athletes now. Instead, they should be letting them take it to help with inflammation and pain, dropping the usage of pills.

For her event, yeah it may be, but the World Doping Association does not make rules for individual sports, it's a blanket rule.

It's not up to the USOC to decide.

Also, there ARE sports where taking THC would be giving the athletes an advantage, hence the overall rule against it.

She didnt take it for any physical ailments either.

Read the article. The rules were upheld and she served her suspension. She was eligible to compete in Tokyo but they chose to make an example of her despite the personal tragedy she'd suffered.

Please do read the article. She is not eligible to participate in her event, the 100 meters, because she would not have finished her suspension in time to participate!

The ONLY event she would have been able to compete in is the 4 X 100 relay. And the US Track and Field Federation left her off the team!

Right, let's relax the rules because someone went through some personal hardship and broke the rules.

This rule is ridiculous. They should just drop it for all athletes now.

Instead, they should be letting them take it to help with inflammation and pain, dropping the usage of pills.

Right, let's relax the rules because someone went through some personal hardship and broke the rules.

Read the article. The rules were upheld and she served her suspension. She was eligible to compete in Tokyo but they chose to make an example of her despite the personal tragedy she'd suffered.

Pretty harsh decision seeing as her mum had died and she was eligible to compete after the suspension.

Right, let's relax the rules because someone went through some personal hardship and broke the rules.

Pretty harsh decision seeing as her mum had died and she was eligible to compete after the suspension.

Poor Ms Richardson.

Oh dear, see what a bit of blow can do!