Biden defends Sha’Carri Richardson’s comment as progressive, some in GOP dismiss: ‘Rules are rules’

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President Biden gave a muted response Saturday to the suspension of sprinter Shachary Richardson for a positive marijuana test that will cut her out of the Tokyo Olympics later this month.

“The rules are the rules and everyone knows the rules that apply,” the president told reporters after being asked about his decision. “The question of whether the rules should remain is a different matter, but the rules are the rules…but I was really proud of the way they responded”

Richardson, 21, a Dallas native, apologized Friday, explaining that she used the drug to come to terms with the loss of her biological mother, who died shortly before the race.

Unlike Biden, Progressive Democrats declined to comment, many linking that to racism.

AOC says Olympic ban on marijuana is a ‘tool’ of racism after BlackTrack star suspended

On Friday, Democratic U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D.N.Y. tweeted, “We have worked with @RepRaskin and the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to formally call on @USAntiDoping to end Sha Carrie Richardson’s suspension. No scientific basis. It’s only rooted in the systemic racism that has been driven for a while. long with anti-marijuana laws.”

Chakari Richardson plans to comment: “What are we doing here?”

Liberal actor Seth Rogan, who is known for smoking pot, also linked Richardson’s comment to racism.

“The idea that weed is a problematic drug is rooted in racism,” he wrote. “It’s crazy that Team USA is eliminating one of the most talented athletes in this country for thinking it’s rooted in hate. It’s something they should be ashamed of. Also if weed makes you fast, I’ll be Flo Joe.”

Others, such as US Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington state, used this moment to advocate for the drug’s legalization. “We’re way overdue in legalizing marijuana,” she wrote on Twitter.

Some Republicans also defended Richardson.

Set Rogen accuses Team USA of ‘racism’ after Chakari Richardson comments: ‘They should be ashamed’

“A press that loves bathing in the intersection of race, gender and sports should ask @JoeBiden if he thinks Sha’carri Richardson should be barred from representing America for its legal drug use in most states that doesn’t affect performance,” US Representative Matt Gates, Republican of Florida, tweeted Friday. “I sure as hell don’t,” he said.

Donald Trump Jr tweeted, “Let it compete, I’m sure weed has never made anyone faster.”

Biden has not been an advocate of federal legalization of marijuana but has spoken about decriminalizing possession during the 2020 campaign.

The Biden White House also, controversially, fired or reprimanded several young employees earlier this year after they admitted to using “marijuana in the past” on security clearance forms.

Marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug but is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which USA Track and Field tracks.

Richardson won the 100-meter event at the U.S. Olympic track and field event on June 19 in Eugene, Oregon, but tested positive for the competition, invalidating her win and calling for a suspension from the sport for one month.

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She apologized during her appearance on NBC’s “Today”.

“I apologise. As disappointed as I am, I know that when I step on the track I am not only representing myself, I am representing a community that has shown great support and great love,” she said. “I apologize for the fact that I didn’t know how to control my feelings or deal with my feelings during that time.”

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