After the doping ban for the American sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson for the Olympic 100-meter race for women in Tokyo because of marijuana abuse and her emotional confession, the 21-year-old has received expressions of solidarity from numerous US sports stars and even from the White House.

Olympic sprint champion Michael Johnson, former basketball superstar Dwyane Wade, and several stars from the NFL football league challenged the drug's ban by the world anti-doping agency WADA and in several states while politics in Washington questioned Acknowledged Richardson's previous achievements.

“I don't know why marijuana is banned. Maybe for a good reason, maybe not. I wish the ban were suspended until the reasons for both are known, ”said Johnson. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes from last year's NFL Champion Kansas City Chiefs reacted with incomprehension: "Such garbage - just let it go," said the most valuable player (MVP) of the Super Bowl of 2020.

Richardson's four-week suspension after a positive doping result in the Olympic elimination of the US athletes in Eugene / Oregon in June became known last Friday.

Shortly afterwards, the sprinter admitted her marijuana use in a “state of emotional pain” on a TV show after the news of the death of her birth mother: “I apologize for not knowing how to control my emotions during this time or deal with my emotions, ”said Richardson.

In connection with Richardson's confession, Wade accused the politics of marijuana-banned states with double standards.

"The majority of you lawmakers smoke marijuana yourself and probably even invest in THC companies," said the Olympic and three-time NBA champion.

The suspension for Richardson, who had won the 100-meter trials in 10.89 seconds in Eugene and became the sixth fastest woman of all time in a meeting in Florida last April, was also included in the white's regular press conference House on the agenda. Jen Psaki, as spokeswoman for US President Joe Biden, referred to the independence of the US anti-doping agency USADA, but also noted: “Sha'Carri Richardson is an inspiring young woman who has been through a lot personally. And she managed to be one of the fastest women in the world - and that is also an important part of the story. "

The ban, which has been in effect since June 28, does not mean the end of all hopes for an Olympic start in Tokyo for Richardson. Due to the schedule, the glamor woman can take part in the women's 4 x 100 m relay. The decision on this lies with the American association USATF and the National Olympic Committee USOC. Perhaps the "rocket", as it is called, can still take off after all.