White House calls Sha’Carri Richardson an ‘inspiring young woman’ amid backlash over her Olympics drug ban

Jen Psaki noted sanction was ‘independent decision’ made by United States Anti-Doping Agency

The White House has called Sha’Carri Richardson an “inspiring young woman who has gone through a lot personally” in response to her ban from the Olympics 100m race following a failed drugs test.

The comments came during a White House press briefing on Friday during which Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked whether Joe Biden supported the athlete’s one-month sanction.

“I would say first that this was an independent decision made by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and not a decision made by the US government as is appropriate,” Ms Psaki said.

The press secretary said the White House would leave the agency “space and room” to make their decisions about anti-doping policies.

“I will also note that Sha’Carri Richardson is an inspiring young woman who has gone through a lot personally ... and she also happens to be one of the fastest women in the world,” Mr Psaki added.

She continued: “And that’s an important part of this story as well. This was an independent decision by the USADA ... but I also felt it was important to note who she is and her history.”

On Thursday, news broke that Ms Richardson had tested positive for chemical cannabis after winning the 100m at the US Olympic trials in June, completing it in 10.86 seconds.

Ms Richardson apologised on Friday, revealing she used cannabis after finding out her biological mother had died just before her US Olympic trial.

“I was definitely triggered and blinded by emotions, blinded by badness, and hurting, and hiding hurt,” Ms Richardson said in an appearance on the Today show.

Ms Richardson was in Oregon at the time of the trials where cannabis use is legal. However, the drug is banned by the USADA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The sprinter accepted a 30-day suspension that ends 27 July. A three-month sanction was said to have been reduced to one month because she participated in a counselling programme.

“Don’t judge me, because I am human ... I just happen to run a little faster,” Ms Richardson told the broadcaster.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press