Sha’Carri Richardson became the sixth-fastest woman in history when she ran the 100m in 10.72 seconds at the US Olympic Trials in June. Everyone was banking on the Texas sprinter to take home the gold medal.
But, unfortunately, she heard some awful news. Sha’Carri Richardson was punished for a month and dropped from the Olympics team in early July after testing positive for cannabis use during the qualifying race. She claimed she used the drug as a result of the stress of her biological mother’s recent death and the pressure of trials.
Her 30-day suspension expired on August 5, just in time for the relays, but USA Track and Field (USATF) decided not to award her a position on Team USA’s roster for the Tokyo Olympics.
This elicited a variety of responses. Some believed the sprinter earned it, but others believed it was unjust because marijuana is not a performance-enhancing substance. It is legal in many states, including Oregon, where Richardson smoked it, regardless of one’s feelings on it.
Richardson and Nicki Minaj
Many are rooting for Richardson at the Prefontaine Classic, but some, including Minaj, may be more interested in seeing the Jamaicans triumph. Richardson asked on July 30 if anyone missed her participation at the Games, which ruffled some feathers and drew backlash, particularly from Minaj. Richardson’s message was retweeted by Beenie Man, who was then retweeted by Minaj.
Big up uno self ?????? https://t.co/ldMaqiDo2P
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) July 31, 2021
Following Minaj’s comments, fans dredged up old Richardson anti-Minaj tweets, speculating that the two did not get along. Richardson had already blasted Minaj’s music in his prior tweets.
Whether or whether the rumors are real, Minaj gently expressed her feelings towards Richardson.
Richardson responds to her rematch
Richardson may have lost out on a rematch in Tokyo, but it appears she will get another chance at the Prefontaine Classic, an international Diamond League meet, on August 21 at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field.
Richardson will compete against Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson, the three Olympic 100-meter medalists who finished first, second, and third, respectively. During the final race in Tokyo, Thompson-Herah even smashed the Olympic record. It may not be the Olympics, but the race foreshadows what may have transpired in Tokyo between Richardson and the three Jamaican champions if Richardson hadn’t failed the test. And it appears that Richardson is ready to annihilate her opponents in her comeback.
On August 18, the athlete posted a TikTok video to her Instagram account, and she made it clear in the description that she was in it to win it. She was also lip-syncing to a verse by Nicki Minaj from one of her songs.
It’s unclear whether she was making a joke at the Grammy-winning rapper, but given Minaj’s reaction to Richardson’s prior tweet, it’s possible. But, turmoil aside, Richardson appears to be gearing up for a one-of-a-kind performance.
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