Sha'Charri Richardson has spoken out about being suspended from the upcoming Olympic 100m race following a one-month ban after failing a drugs test.
The sprinter, 21, had been hopeful of a 100m gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, but her future at the event is now uncertain after she tested positive for THC - a chemical found in marijuana - and subsequently suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
She is now serving a one-month ban from the sport for her actions, which means that she will be unable to compete in the women's 100m race, as per The Independent.
Now, Richardson has explained that she put her Olympic dreams in jeopardy after she decided to use the drug following her mother's death, telling NBC that she found out the heartbreaking news from a reporter - an experience she says sent her into "a state of emotional panic".
Listen to the 21-year-old speak out below:"I'm blessed to be alive. I'm responsible for my actions. I know what I did, I know what I'm supposed to do, what I'm allowed not to do, and I still made that decision," the sprint star told the Today show.
"I'm not making any excuse or looking for any empathy in my case, being in that position of my life, finding out something like that, something that I would say one of the biggest things that have impacted me positively and negatively in my life, dealing with the relationship I had with my mother."
She continued: "That was definitely a very heavy topic on me. To put on a face and go in front of the world, who am I to tell you how to cope when dealing with a pain and a struggle that you’ve never experienced before or thought you’d have to deal with. Who am I to tell you how to cope with it.
"Honestly, leading up to that with my mental health, leading up to the Games, definitely expected to be a record-breaking time or something like that, that pressure in itself.
"The information came from a complete stranger, it was definitely triggering. That sent me into a state of emotional panic. Even though I'm still here I still have to go out and compete. It was definitely triggering, blinded by emotion, blinded by sadness and hurt. I can't hide myself."
While the 21-year-old cannot compete in the women's 100m, however, it is still entirely possible that she could represent the US in the 4x100m relay, at which time her ban will have expired.
The Independent reports that she has the second-fastest time in the world for running 100m - 10.72 seconds - and she is hoping that she will be given permission to run by USA Track & Field.
"Right now I'm putting all of my time and energy to deal with what I need to do, which is heal myself. If I receive that blessing, I’m grateful, but if not I'll focus on myself," Richardson added.
"I'd like to say to my fans and my family and my sponsorship, I apologize, I'm disappointed. When I'm on the track I represent a great community that has shown me great support and love and I failed you all. I apologize for the fact that I didn't know how to control my emotions during that time. I'm human, we're human. I want to be as transparent as possible with you guys."
"I say, don't judge me, I'm human like you, I just happen to run a little faster. This will be the last time that the US doesn’t come home with the gold in the 100m.
"This is just one Games. I'm 21, I'm very young, unlike most I have plenty of Games in me to compete in. I have plenty of talent to back me up, everything I do comes naturally, no steroid, no anything, this incident was about marijuana.
"After my sanction, I'll be able to compete, every single time I step onto the track I'll be ready for whatever anti-doping agency to come and get what it is that they need, as this will never happen again."