Why Was Sha’Carri Richardson Suspended From Tokyo Olympics?

Sha’Carri Richardson crosses the finish line of the women’s 100 meter semi-final at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials. Credit – Patrick Smith—Getty Images

Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson is representing Team USA at the Paris Summer Olympics.

Her appearance at the Olympics finishes off a three-year ordeal that began before the Tokyo Games, when Richardson tested positive for cannabis—a banned substance under World Anti-Doping Agency Rules—after bursting into the American sporting consciousness with an outstanding performance at the Olympic trials in 2021.

Here’s a detailed look at why Sha’Carri Richardson was suspended from the Tokyo Olympics and the impact that setback had on the athlete.