Sha’Carri Richardson, suspended at the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for cannabis /
He will study the case after the positive test given by the American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, suspended from the Tokyo Olympics
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reported on Tuesday that it will review the status of cannabis on its list of prohibited substances following the positive test given by the American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, suspended from the last Tokyo Olympics.
Following a meeting of the WADA executive committee in Istanbul, the world anti-doping watchdog noted that a scientific review of cannabis will take place next year, although the drug would remain banned in 2022.
“After receiving requests from various stakeholders, the Executive Committee endorsed the Expert Advisory Group’s decision to initiate a scientific review of the status of cannabis in 2022,” WADA said in a statement.
“Cannabis is currently prohibited in competition and will continue to be in 2022,” added the entity.
American sprint star Richardson was expected to be one of the main faces of the Tokyo 2020 Games after a series of displays in the 100-meter dash earlier in the season.
However, the 21-year-old was ruled out of the Games after receiving a 30-day suspension following a positive test for marijuana following her 100-meter victory at the United States Olympic Trials in Eugene last June.
His case sparked a debate over the continued inclusion of marijuana on the WADA’s list of banned substances, with celebrities and athletes criticizing the rule as outdated and unnecessary.
The president of the International Athletics Federation (World Athletics), Sebastian Coe, is among those who have endorsed calls for a review of cannabis.
“This is not an unreasonable time to do a review,” Coe said during the Olympics. It’s sensible, nothing is set in stone. You adapt and occasionally you re-evaluate.
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