United States (US) sprint sensation Sha’Carri Richardson may have apologised after testing positive for marijuana and losing her spot at the Tokyo Olympics, but several high profile American athletes believe she has nothing to be sorry for, some even suggesting it’s all a conspiracy against the country’s best hope for a women’s 100m sprint gold medal.

This morning Richardson told NBC News that, after receiving news of the death of her biological mother during the US Olympic Trials, she had an emotional response which led to her using the drug.

“I want to take responsibility for my actions. I know what I did, I know what I’m supposed to do and what I am not allowed to do and I still made that decision but I’m not making any excuse or empathy in my case but just being in that position in my life, finding out something like that I would say it’s one of the biggest things that impacted me positively in my life, when it comes to dealing with the relationship that I have with my mother and so that was a very heavy thing for me,” said Richardson.

“To my fans and my family, sponsors and to my haters, I apologise. As much as I am disappointed, I know that when I step on the track, I am not only representing myself, I represent a community that has shown me great support and great love.”

She added: “I will just say that I am human, I want to be as transparent as possible with you guys. Don’t judge me, I am human, I just happen to run a little faster.”

But as Richardson took responsibility, athletes like retired basketballers Dwayne Wade and Jamal Crawford suggested what was happening to her was unfair, while others like NBA player Damian Lillard and NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr bluntly labelled it ‘BS’.

On Twitter, Wade said: “But majority of y’all rule makers smoke and probably are investors in THC companies. Let’s stop playing these games.”

Crawford meanwhile posted: “Oh, so Sha’Carri Richardson reached the level of fame where it’s ‘try and find ANYTHING’ to mess with her. Got it… .”

But these weren’t the only views on the one-month suspension that will prevent the much-anticipated face off between the American champion and the Jamaican double threat of defending double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson Herah and newly minted world’s fastest living woman, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Fraser-Pryce also happens to be the current World Champion and a two-time Olympic champion.

See a few more of the Twitter reactions to Richardson’s suspension below:

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