Sha’Carrie set a mark of 10.75 seconds.

This athlete won the quota to be part of the American team in the 2020 Olympics, but a test to detect substances in 2021 determined that the THC component, belonging to cannabis, was present in her body, which gave cause to withdraw her récord obtained at that time.

“Richardson’s competitive results obtained on June 19, 2021, including her Olympic qualifying results at the Team Trials, have been disqualified, and she forfeits any medals, points, and prizes,” a statement from the USADA -United States anti-doping agency- said.

What is THC and what are its effects?

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) modifies the neuronal receptors present in the brain network, therefore it is used for analgesic or anti-inflammatory purposes to calm stress and anxiety.

But on the other hand, when its purposes are not purely medicinal but recreational or that lead to addiction, it can generate the following symptoms in the body:

• Episodes of anxiety

• Short-term memory gaps

• Decreased ability to concentrate

• Incrise of cardiac frecuency

• Possibility of suffering from schizophrenia

• dry mouth

• Problems with motor functions

• Exhausted

• Increased appetite

• The senses are clouded

•THC also causes long-term negative effects of cannabis:

• Substance dependence

• Increased probability of suffering from respiratory diseases

• Deterioration of cognitive abilities

• Marijuana amotivational syndrome

• Possibility of suffering from psychiatric disorders

• Coexistence problems

• Decreased productivity and/or school or work performance

In such a way that if someone seeks greater sports performance or to relieve tension in a competition, as Sha’Carrie Richardson may have intended, this can have repercussions, as in this case, in losing their sporting achievements and becoming addicted to this substance.

When Richardson received the news that her brand was invalidated, of which she was very proud, she decided to enter a therapy process so that, once she met the requirements and the medical concept, she could choose to continue participating in competitions athletics.

“The rules are clear, but this is heartbreaking on many levels; Hopefully, her acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to us all that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this one to her,” USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart said.

“After my sanction is up, I’ll be back and ready to compete,” Richardson said. “This will never happen again.” She said in an interview.

And that statement is what the sports world expects to be fulfilled and not lose an athletics star due to the misuse of substances, which has happened with other athletes or even their coaches, in their eagerness to break records, to mark an Unlike, they mistakenly intend to increase performance with chemical substances that, when detected, cause the end of their careers.

Although THC’s benefits have been discovered in recent years, like all Cannabis products, it is important to properly document and follows the guidelines regarding medicinal use, when, how, and by whom.