Sha’Carri Richardson asks a fascinating question about the standards being used by the International Olympic Committee regarding athletes’ use of certain drugs.
Richardson is a world-class sprinter from the Dallas area who prior to the Tokyo Summer Olympics this past year tested positive for marijuana; the IOC banned her from the Games. Richardson was heavily favored to win a medal in Tokyo but was denied the chance.
Kamila Valieva is a Russian skater who the other day tested positive for trimetazidine, a drug that — like THC — is a banned substance. Trimetazidine helps improve heart function and, thus, is considered a “performance enhancing drug.”
Valieva’s punishment? She’ll get to compete for a gold medal at the Beijing Winter Games. The IOC said it will delay a ceremony if Valieva captures a medal until after the matter is examined and investigated thoroughly.
Still, Richardson asked, according to National Public Radio:
“Can we get a solid answer on the difference” between their situations? RichardsonĀ asked on Twitter, after mediators ruled that Valieva should be allowed to skate in the women’s individual competition in Beijing.
“The only difference I see is I’m a black young lady,” Richardson said.
“It’s all in the skin,” she added.
Sha’Carri Richardson sees double standard in allowing Kamila Valieva to compete : NPR
Well. It kind of looks that way to me, as well.
