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Why Sha'Carri Richardson didn't compete in the Tokyo Olympics, explained: A look back at her suspension

mike d. sykes, ii
Sha'Carri Richardson wins the first round of the women's 200 meters during day seven of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., on Thursday, June 27, 2024.Ê
Sha'Carri Richardson wins the first round of the women's 200 meters during day seven of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., on Thursday, June 27, 2024.Ê

2024 Olympic qualifiers ahead of the Paris Games READ MORE:  Five facts about Sha'Carri Richardson

Why wasn't Sha'Carri Richardson in the Tokyo Olympics?

FILE - JULY 2, 2021: It was reported that Sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson will not be able to participate in the 100-meter event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for marijuana at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June, July 2, 2021. EUGENE, OREGON - JUNE 19: Sha'Carri Richardson reacts after competing in the Women's 100 Meter Semi-finals on day 2 of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 19, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775482190 ORIG FILE ID: 1324573960

2021 Tokyo Games after Olympic trials suspended for one month by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency

Wow. That sounds like a terrible time

lost her biological mother

Is Sha'Carri Richardson OK now?

EUGENE, OREGON - JUNE 22: Sha'Carri Richardson reacts after competing in the women's 100 meter dash semi-final on Day Two of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field on June 22, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** ORG XMIT: 776105314 ORIG FILE ID: 2158795843
EUGENE, OREGON - JUNE 22: Sha'Carri Richardson reacts after competing in the women's 100 meter dash semi-final on Day Two of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field on June 22, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** ORG XMIT: 776105314 ORIG FILE ID: 2158795843

new mantra is "I'm not back. I'm better."

“I don’t just mean I’m a better runner,” Richardson tells me when I ask about her credo. “It’s beyond that. I’m better at being Sha’Carri. I’m better at being myself.”

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This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why Sha'Carri Richardson didn't compete in the Tokyo Olympics, explained: A look back at her suspension