Patrick Mahomes, athletes react to Sha'Carri Richardson's suspension: 'let her run!'

Michelle R. Martinelli
USA TODAY Sports
FILE - JULY 2, 2021: It was reported that Sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson will not be able to participate in the 100-meter event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for marijuana at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June, July 2, 2021. EUGENE, OREGON - JUNE 19: Sha'Carri Richardson reacts after competing in the Women's 100 Meter Semi-finals on day 2 of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 19, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775482190 ORIG FILE ID: 1324573960

Warning: There is some NSFW language in this post.

In a heartbreaking and shocking turn of events, American sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson has been suspended for one month after testing positive for marijuana.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced the 21-year-old's suspension Friday morning. The positive test invalidates her 100-meter dash victory at Olympic Trials last month, preventing her from competing in the race this summer at the Tokyo Games, where she would have been a medal contender. However, there is still a chance she could compete in the 4x100-meter relay, but right now, it's unclear if that will happen.

Friday morning, Richardson spoke openly on the TODAY show about what led to her positive test for marijuana, which is legal in Oregon, where the Olympic Trials were held, but still prohibited in competition, per World Anti-Doping Agency rules.

She explained that while preparing to compete, she also was coping and in "a state of emotional panic" during trials after doing an interview in which the reporter told her that her biological mother died.

"It definitely was a very heavy topic on me," she said. "And people don’t really understand what it’s like to have to... put on a face and have to go out in front of the world and hide my pain."

She received an abundance of support from fans, and several athletes —  including Patrick Mahomes, Megan Rapinoe, Dwyane Wade and Gwen Berry —spoke out against the consequences she's facing during this traumatic time.

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