Sha’Carri Richardson had a lot to say following the 100-meter race at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday, her first race since being banned from competing in the Tokyo Olympics due to a failed drug test.
The 21-year-old finished ninth with a time of 11.14 seconds.
“This is one race. I’m not done. You know what I’m capable of,” Richardson said after the race. “Count me out if you want to. Talk all the (expletive) you want, ’cause I’m here to stay. I’m not done.”
Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson took first, second and third, respectively. The Jamaican trio also swept the podium in Tokyo, when Thompson-Herah set a new Olympic record with a time of 10.61. She finished the race at the Prefontaine in Eugene, Oregon, with a world-leading time of 10.54.
Thompson-Herah continues to close in on Florence Griffith Joyner’s world record of 10.49 set in 1988.
(Video contains strong language)
Richardson dominated at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in June taking first place with a time of 10.86. She tested positive for marijuana usage from a sample taken during the trials and served a one-month suspension that prevented her from competing at the Olympics.
During an appearance on NBC’s “Today” Show, Richardson revealed that she ingested the substance after being informed by an interviewer that her biological mother had passed away. Regardless, she issued an apology.
“I want to take responsibility for my actions,” she said on NBC on July 2. “I know what I did. I know what I’m supposed to do. I know what I’m allowed not to do, and I still made that decision.”
Richardson pulled out of the women’s 200 later Saturday, the Prefontaine Classic announced.
Contact Emily Leiker at eleiker@usatoday.com or on Twitter @emleiker
