Sha’Carri Richardson compares her case with Russia’s Kamila Valieva, alleges racism

US Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson pointed out at the hypocrisy in figure skater Kamila Valieva’ case. The Russian athlete was allowed to compete at the Winter Olympics amid a doping charge. 

Richardson, who was expected to win a gold at the Tokyo Olympics last year, was barred for competing after she tested positive for cannabis. The 21-year-old was banned for a month. 

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Responding to a USA TODAY article, which said that Kamila Valieva being allowed to compete ‘is just a slap in the face to all of those athletes doing it the right way’, Richardson said there was a race angle. 

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said Valieva is a ‘protected person’ and therefore has different rules than adult athletes.

Also read: Winter Olympics: WADA slams Court of Arbitration for Sport for allowing Kamila Valieva of Russia to compete

“Can we get a solid answer on the difference of (Valieva’s) situation and mines? My mother died and I can’t run and was also favored to place top 3. The only difference I see is I’m a black young lady,” Richardson wrote on Twitter on Monday.

The US sprinter further went on to question how Valieva’s positive result came up only during the Beijing Games even though she was tested in December. 

Also read: At Winter Olympics, virus fight waged with worker sacrifices

“Failed in December and the world just now know however my resulted was posted within a week and my name & talent was slaughtered to the people,” she said in another tweet.

“Not one BLACK athlete has been about to compete with a case going on, I don’t care what they say!!!” Richardson continued.

Valieva landed the first quadruple jumps by a woman at the Olympics as the Russian team won gold in a dominant performance.