The International Olympics Committee Responds to Sha’Carri Richardson’s Discrimination Allegations

The International Olympic Committee has responded to Sha’Carri Richardson’s discrimination allegations.

Richardson called out the committee for allowing Kamila Valieva to compete in the Winter Olympics despite failing a doping test.

Kamila,15, is a Russian figure skater who claims the positive result stems from a mix-up with heart medication.

However, Sha’Carri claims double standards regarding drug testing in the Olympics. Sha’Carri took to Twitter to demand a ‘solid answer on the difference.’

The IOC caught wind of Sha’Carri’s statement and decided to give her the solid answer she was requesting.

“You can’t talk about double standards in relation to Russian and American athletes. Each case is individual,” says Mark Adams, an IOC spokesman. “Richardson’s positive doping test was discovered on 19 June. And the result was received before the start of the Olympics. She was suspended for a month. There is nothing in common between these two cases. This Games, which has not concluded, concerns an issue in December. She is at the center of a lot of speculation. It must be very tough for her. We, of course, are in touch with the team, her welfare is the team’s priority, and obviously, we are very careful of that, but there’s only so much that we can do.”

Sha’Carri made headlines after not competing in the Summer Games in Tokyo. Richardson could not participate after testing positive for marijuana. The topic became controversial and drew support from many celebrities. Fans were rooting for Sha’Carri to win gold in the women’s 100 meters.

However, Kamila test came back positive for trimetazidine, a banned heart medication. Kamila gave her test sample back in December. Her results didn’t gain attention until this month after winning a gold medal.

The IOC says they have different rules for minors. Thus, making Kamila a “protected person.”