We have a book at our house, called “Race Cars” that we read to our 4 year old Firas. The story is about a black race car and a white race car who love to race. The two cars, Chase and Ace, are best friends, and want to have fun and succeed together. Historically, only white cars have placed in the top 3. Until one day, Chase won the race and Ace came third place. The organizers of the “Race Car Race”, who are all white cars, did not like this. So every following year they began to introduce more rules. These rules made the race more difficult for any car that wasn’t white. Signs telling Black and coloured cars to take longer detours. Signs preventing Black and coloured cars from using shortcuts, but allowing white cars to do so. And having police stop and interrogate Black and coloured cars.
You can see where I’m going with this…
TOKYO 2020
Sha’Carri Richardson, Power, Talent, and Confidence personified. In June 2020, Richardson ran the 100 meters in 10.86 seconds, at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in Oregon. She was favoured to place in the top 3. I could almost see the white cars trembling in their tires.
But wait, what’s this? Richardson’s drug test showed up positive for marijuana?! Suspend her! Drag her name in the mud! Make an example out of her! But wait, she just lost her mother. Too bad! BRING THE HAMMER DOWN!!
Even though much more research is needed on the performance enhancing effects of marijuana on athletes. Even though the use of cannabis as a performance enhancer is still widely debated. Even though studies have shown that cannabis causes more much more impairment than enhancement in athletic performance. Even though cannabis is legal many parts around the world. The issue runs much deeper and anyone saying otherwise has their head in the sand.
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/561362-shacarri-richardson-suspension-prompts-outrage?rl=1
BEIJING 2022
Kamila Valieva, at 15 years of age with a excellent performance that helped her secure the gold in the team event for figure skating. However, in December of 2021 Valieva tested positive for Trimetazidine, which is banned by WADA, under the category of “Hormone and metabolic modulator” both in and out of competition.
Trimetazidine is considered basically enhances the hearts ability to breakdown and utilize glucose for energy. In a sense, the drug ensures that the muscles have a constant high supply of ATP. ATP being the energy currency for muscles, and is integral for helping with explosive movements, like the ones performed in figure skating.
Yet, despite testing positive, Valieva was still allowed to compete. Her lawyer made some stupid claim that the drug test was accidentally contaminated through her grandfathers medication. This is coupled with the fact that she, as a minor, is protected and subject to lesser penalties. And finally, that too severe of a punishment would have long lasting negative effects on her development as an athlete.
The Decision Makers
Now to be clear, there are both differences and similarities between both cases. Some have argued timeframes, and age, should be considered. That is to say, Richardson tested positive way ahead of Tokyo 2020, and Valieva was already in Beijing when her test came through.
This is further clouded by the organizations that make the decisions on suspensions, punishments, and participation. There is the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the International Olympics Committee (IOC), the World Anti-Doping Agency, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, and US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
All of these organizations are in constant communication with each other. The communicate about the athletes tests, findings, decisions etc. USADA decided to ban Richardson, whereas RUSADA decided to allow Valieva to compete. WADA itself was disappointed with RUSADA’s decision (read the full statement through the link).
All of this being said, the CAS is not always the one to determine who gets banned and who doesn’t. However, it is important to note that the politics involved in the olympics are complicated to say the least. But I am left wondering, why they become so complicated when it’s a white Russian minor, but very straight forward when it’s a young Black female athlete?
Final Thoughts
Anyone who has ever done or participated in power sports (sprinting, weightlifting, figure skating etc.) knows what happens when the fatigue sets in. This means that Valieva can then perform multiple power moves without having to experience set backs from fatigue. Marijuana does no such thing…One drug is said to lessen the perception of pain for some athletes, the other enhances hormonal and metabolic function in ALL athletes. But I’m supposed to believe that the athlete who used marijuana deservers a more severe punishment?
Furthermore, Richardson had just lost her mother, and I am supposed to believe that Valieva’s test was contaminated by her grandfather’s meds?? The medical experts even shook their head at that BS!
There is a historical reality around how marijuana laws have been used against Black people. Marijuana laws have been used to incarcerate and demonize black people, to ensure they aren’t able to get ahead. And even though marijuana is legal in many US states, the fact that USADA and WADA haven’t caught up to the law and the research is concerning.
At the end of the day, if these organizations are going to agree on suspensions for drug usage then they need to be consistent. You can’t just apply them strictly in one case and then site complications, and politics, and age, and whatever else in another. Especially in cases like Richardson’s and Valieva. And I would accuse anyone who says otherwise of playing the ignorant “I don’t see colour” card.
Sources And Citations
https://academic.oup.com/jat/article/35/9/624/853039
https://www.proquest.com/openview/1ff92575616a5d7abfc3478c4e8c008d/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=24126