Commentary

Outrage After Sha’Carri Richardson, Other Black Women Banned from Participating in Tokyo Olympics

Social media users, media pundits, and celebrities rushed to Richardson’s defense, noting that marijuana is legal in many states anyway and using the hashtag #LetHerRun.

Published

5 years ago

July 10, 2021

Christy Price

Sha’Carri Richardson/Sports Illustrated

The Olympics and its governing bodies are being accused of discriminating against Black women after several Black women athletes — nearly all of whom were expected to excel in their competitions — have been disqualified from participating in the Tokyo games in recent months.

The outcry hit its peak last week after Sha’Carri Richardson, the 21-year-old Black track star who shot to fame last month as the “fastest woman in America,” was suspended from competing for one month after testing positive for using marijuana. Richardson did not test positive for any performance enhancement drugs, and said she used marijuana after learning that her biological mother had died.

Social media users, media pundits, and celebrities rushed to Richardson’s defense, noting that marijuana is legal in many states anyway and using the hashtag #LetHerRun. A petition on MoveOn.org gained nearly half a million signatures. And Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez even wrote a letter to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency urging the organization to reverse its decision suspending Richardson.

But Richardson confirmed on Twitter that she will not be competing in this year’s Olympics.

“I’m sorry I can’t be y’all Olympic Champ this year,” she said July 3, “but I promise I’ll be your World Champ next year.”

Other Black women have also been barred — and even swimwear used by Black women.

Two Namibian sprinters, Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi, both 18 years old, were ruled ineligible to compete in some races at the Tokyo Olympics because of naturally high testosterone levels. The Olympics’ governing body requires athletes’ blood testosterone levels to be below a designated level to compete in certain women’s events.

That rule has also impacted Olympic champion Caster Semenya of South Africa and CeCe Telfer, a Black transgender woman athlete who is Jamaican-American. Semenya was barred from running in any mid- to long-range race after World Athletics ruled in 2018 that women with naturally high testosterone levels must take medication to reduce them to compete in those races. Semenya has refused and is challenging the ruling.

Last week, just after swimmer Alice Dearing became the first Black woman to qualify to represent England in the open-water marathon, the governing body for aquatics sports barred the use of swim caps designed for natural hair in international competitions. The body is now reviewing its decision after receiving international pushback.

“So, Sha’Carri can’t run because of marijuana, multiple African runners can’t run because their T levels are “too high,” and swim caps for Afro hair have been banned. Anyone else see a pattern here?” one Twitter user said.

“Good morning and Happy Friday to everyone except the Olympic Committee for banning Sha’Carri Richardson for weed while Michael Phelps weed-coughs gold medals,” another said, noting that Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was also caught using marijuana.

Another user called the disqualifications an example of white men deciding whose womanhood is good enough.

While Richardson, won’t compete until next year, Mboma and Masilingi will compete in some races this summer, but not all.

Christy Price

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 18 – 24, 2026

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Rising Optimism Among Small And Middle Market Business Leaders Suggests Growth for California

“Business leaders across the Pacific region continue to demonstrate a unique blend of resilience and forward-thinking, even in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty,” said Brennon Crist, Managing Director and Head of the Pacific Segment, Commercial Banking, J.P. Morgan. “Their commitment to innovation and growth is evident in the way they adapt to challenges and seize new opportunities. It’s this spirit that keeps our region at the forefront of business leadership and progress. We look forward to helping our clients navigate all that’s ahead in 2026.”

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Business optimism is returning for small and midsize business leaders at the start of 2026, fueling confidence and growth plans.

The 2026 Business Leaders Outlook survey, released in January by JPMorganChase reveals a turnaround from last June, when economic headwinds and uncertainty about shifting policies and tariffs caused some leaders to put their business plans on hold.

Midsize companies, who often find themselves more exposed to geopolitical shifts and policy changes, experienced a significant dip in business and economic confidence in June of 2025. As they have become more comfortable with the complexities of today’s environment, we are seeing optimism rebounding in the middle market nationwide – an encouraging sign for growth, hiring, and innovation. Small businesses, meanwhile, maintained steady optimism throughout 2025, but they aren’t shielded from domestic concerns. Many cited inflation and wage pressures as the top challenges for 2026 and are taking steps to ensure their businesses are prepared for what’s ahead.

Overall, both small and midsize business leaders are feeling more confident to pursue growth opportunities, embrace emerging technologies and, in some cases, forge new strategic partnerships. That bodes well for entrepreneurs in California. Here are a few other key findings from the Business Leaders Outlook about trends expected to drive activity this year:

Inflation remains the top concern for small business owners. Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, many anticipated a favorable business environment. By June 2025, however, that feeling shifted amid concerns about political dynamics, tariffs, evolving regulations and global economic headwinds.
Going into 2026, 37% of respondents cited inflation as their top concern. Rising taxes came in second at 27% and the impact of tariffs was third at 22%. Other concerns included managing cash flow, hiring and labor costs.

For middle market leaders, uncertainty remains an issue. Almost half (49%) of all midsize business leaders surveyed cited “economic uncertainty” as their top concern – even with an improved outlook from a few months ago. Revenue and sales growth was second at 33%, while tariffs and labor both were third at 31%.
And tariffs are impacting businesses costs. Sixty-one percent of midsize business leaders said tariffs have had a negative impact on the cost of doing business.
Despite challenges, leaders are bullish on their own enterprises. Though the overall outlook is mixed, 74% of small business owners and 71% of middle market companies are optimistic about their company’s prospects for 2026.
Adaption is the theme. For small business owners surveyed across the U.S., responding to continuing pressures is important in 2026. Building cash reserves (47%), renegotiating supplier terms (36%) and ramping up investments in marketing and technology are among the top priorities.
Big plans are on the horizon. A majority midsized company leaders expect revenue growth this year, and nearly three out of five of (58%) plan to introduce new products or services in the coming year, while 53% look to expand into new domestic and/or international markets. Forty-nine percentsay they’re pursuing strategic partnerships or investments.

The bottom line

Rebounding optimism among U.S. business leaders at the start of the year is setting the stage for an active 2026. With business leaders looking to implement ambitious growth plans that position themselves for the future, momentum in California could be beneficial for leaders looking to launch, grow or scale their business this year.