USADA responds to letter from AOC regarding Sha'Carri Richardson suspension, says it can't unilaterally change the rules

Sha'Carri Richardson
(Image credit: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The United States Anti-Doping Agency has addressed sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson's controversial suspension for a positive marijuana test in a new letter to lawmakers, saying it wants to mitigate such "harsh consequences" but can't change the rules unilaterally.

Leaders from the USADA in a letter Friday to Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) responded to their objections over Richardson's one-month suspension after the sprinter tested positive for marijuana, Axios reported. The USADA leaders called it "heartbreaking" that she'll now miss the Olympics and said that the World Anti-Doping Agency's "rules concerning marijuana must change."

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.