America's Fastest Woman Sha'Carri Richardson Tests Positive For Marijuana

Team USA has been rocked by another drug scandal just weeks out from the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

100m sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, who is currently the fastest woman in America, has reportedly tested positive for a banned substance.

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The Jamaica Gleaner first reported that Richardson had failed a drug test following her sensational performance at the US Olympic Trials where she blitzed the rest of the competition with a time of 10.86 seconds.

It's now understood that the prohibited substance she tested positive for wasn't a form of steroids but rather marijuana.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Richardson now faces a 30-day ban, meaning she would miss the 100m event at the Tokyo Olympics - a race she's favourite to clinch a medal in.

That said, the month-long suspension does mean she could qualify in just the knick of time to represent the United States in the women's 4x100m relay.

While investigations are still ongoing, a positive drug test ultimately disqualifies the 21-year-old from her impressive US Olympic Trials performance

And even worse, the punishments could be even worse once the World Anti-Doping Agency passes their judgement on the incident.

She can, however, still appeal a ban if she can prove that the drug was used out of competition times and that it wasn't performance enhancing.

Reacting to the news of her failed test, Richardson took to social media to post a rather cryptic tweet.

"I am human," she said.

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The track and field sensation now faces a nervous wait to see what sort of punishment will be handed down to her - although from the outset, it doesn't look too bright for her.

Richardson's drug sample has sparked the age-old debate as to whether marijuana is technically a 'performance enhancing drug' as fans flocked to social media to share their thoughts.

As for Team USA, it's expected that Jenna Prandini - who finished fourth in the 100m at the recent Olympic Trial - will replace Richardson in the squad.

Topics: olympics, Tokyo Olympics, Team USA, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry