In sports news, outcry is mounting over the suspension of U.S. Olympic sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson after she tested positive for marijuana, which is legal in 18 U.S. states, including Oregon, where Richardson won the 100-meter race at the U.S. track and field trials last month. She has been a gold-medal favorite ahead of the Tokyo Olympics this summer. Cannabis is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances — even though medical research shows it has no performance-enhancing effects.
This comes as the International Swimming Federation is facing backlash for banning the use of swimming caps at the Tokyo Olympics designed for natural Black hair, saying the caps do not “fit the natural form of the head.” The caps are made by the Black-owned British brand Soul Cap.
Meanwhile, Republican Congressmembers Dan Crenshaw of Texas and Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton are calling for U.S. Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry to be banned from the Tokyo Olympics, following Berry’s peaceful protest at an Olympic trials medal ceremony last week, where she turned away from the U.S. flag during the national anthem.