Why are so many letsrunners supporting Sha’Carri’s ban?

There are lots of stupid rules in the sport. You still have to follow them. The answer is to change stupid rules, not just let special people ignore them because they're the best athletes.

For example, the logo restrictions are stupid. But if Noah Lyles showed up at the trials with a giant "EMIRATES" logo on his shirt, he should still expect to be prevented from running, and not just get a pass because he's a great athlete and the rule is stupid.

Or if you are in the NCAA, there have always been lots of stupid rules on amateurism. But if a Alabama booster gave Devonta Smith $1 million under the table, I would still expect the NCAA to impose sanctions even if the whole NCAA system is stupid.

Change stupid rules--don't break them and expect special treatment.

CopperRunner wrote:

No I along with Letsrun are basically saying she broke the rules so she should be banned.

The US letting an athlete slide because of the reasons you stated would make the US look really bad and like they don’t respect their own rules.

Since when does any USA governing body whether governmental and/or corporate respect or follow it's own rules? There is no moral high ground to be had here banning someone over use of THC. Letter vs. The spirit of the law.

For example, the government says that you can only use a pen to sign a contract, otherwise if done by other means, that is a 4 year ban. Ms. Richardson signed a contract with a crayon, therefore she broke this rule and is subsequently banned. Does that seem fair or just?

People get DQed for mistakes frequently. She knowingly broke a rule. What if video shows Sisson took several steps inside of the track on the turn? She still would have won be 100 meters but there would be no arguing even though it did not impact the outcome and she did it by mistake. Don't support a cheater by allowing them to knowingly break rules. Everyone will soon disintegrate into being a cheater in everything.

[quote]track is dead wrote:

…you guys do realize that she was going to become THE star of the Olympics and send Track and Field to new heights, right?

Who wants something like her to be the star of the Olympics? I'm glad she got busted.

Occam wrote:

The racist post of a her started when Sha’Carri started doing well in the prelimes. talking about her looks, hair, the way she acted, that she wasn't girly enough, had muscles, etc.

if this was Prandini, the proud boys of lets run would be falling over themselves to declare injustice.

The white boys of lets run have fragile egos.

May be true to some extent, but most the LRC white boys are big Athing Mu, Ajee Wilson, and McLaughlin fans. It has nothing to do with the color of her skin for most.

I do think she is stupid for taking a risk with weed. If I knew my employer didn’t allow weed and regularly tested me, I wouldn’t do it.

That said, I’d rather see her compete in Tokyo. She is our only hope to beat SAFP. It would have made for a fantastic final.

Right way and wrong way wrote:

For example, the logo restrictions are stupid. But if Noah Lyles showed up at the trials with a giant "EMIRATES" logo on his shirt, he should still expect to be prevented from running, and not just get a pass because he's a great athlete and the rule is stupid.

The better example would be if the athlete was allowed to race, won their spot and then retroactively was blocked from the team for a uniform violation. If this did happen, there would be uproar.

The issue is DQ'ing Richardson for breaking a rule that conferred no performance advantage. She can be punished, sure, I think we can all agree that there can be consequences if WADA doesn't want athletes smoking weed for safety/aesthetic reasons. But her Trials 100m victory is/was not tainted by her having some weed. Just like a Lyles victory with an illegal uniform wouldn't be.

Because of our Trials system and this DQ, Richardson is technically barred to compete in the 100m even though she will have served her punishment and be 100% eligible per WADA/USATF rules. This is a uniquely US Trials thing, and has more to do with our very specific Trials system then it does anything else. If she was Jamaican, she would get the discretionary spot and compete. The top 3 at the day Trials system was designed to be a meritocracy. Under the spirit of that, Richardson should be representing Team USA in the 100m if she is cleared under WADA rules.

No she wouldn't. If we had a discretionary spot, we wouldn't give it to her because she broke the rules. Give it to the 4th place finisher or give it to Felix.

I'm not a Sha'Carri Richardson fan but keeping her out of the Olympics is crap. I wanted to see her run and win.

The reason that I'm not a big fan of hers is that I don't think that she is humble enough and she wears a huge chip on her shoulder. I just don't care for her style and find it to be a turnoff. Someone like Athing Mu is a breath of fresh air compared to Sha'Carri. Mu is very humble and unassuming even though she is on the edge of greatness and could very well be a world record holder soon.

All of that said, Richardson knew or should have known, the rule prohibiting the use of cannabis. As stupid as I think the rule is, it is a rule. To Richardson's credit, she has tried to deny the use of marijuana and she has apologized. That just may be a way to appease her sponsors, though.

She should run wrote:

To Richardson's credit, she hasn'ttried to deny the use of marijuana and she has apologized.

hasn't*

No credit isn due to a cheater who got caught. Save your credit for the honest competitors. Remember that she was being dishonest by breaking rules. Give credit and a spot to the 4th place finisher.

I’m sure it’s because she is black.

That’s the only possible answer to your question. 🙄

Rainy Day wrote:

May be true to some extent, but most the LRC white boys are big Athing Mu, Ajee Wilson, and McLaughlin fans. It has nothing to do with the color of her skin for most.

I think that what you are saying has to do with why I'm not a fan of Richardson's. Mu, Wilson, and McLaughlin seem to be humble and gracious even though all of them are bonafide stars. I was listening to an interview with Mu after one of her heats and the announcer asked her what percentage she thought she was running at. Mu started laughing and said she had no idea and almost seemed awkward. It was refreshing to see after listening to a primadonna like Richardson.

For the most part, fans don't like the type of persona that Richardson projects. Despite that, I really wanted to see her destroy the field at the Olympics.

Strangely enough, it's the men distance runners that seem to be full of themselves and need to tone it down a bit. Guys like Michael Norman, Noah Lyles, and Rai Benjamin just seem to be having a good time.

big bopper wrote:

No she wouldn't. If we had a discretionary spot, we wouldn't give it to her because she broke the rules.

The same country that tried to sneak Houlihan into the Trials and let McNeal run. Yeah, of course. We let anyone (including Gatlin) in as soon as they've served their ban. Richardson's ends July 28 or so. She will be in USATF's good graces as soon as that ends.

You all would not be saying this if Sha'Carri didn't get the times.

Drugs are drugs.

Marijuana does not get a pass just because states are choosing to legalize.

I would rather the United States be viewed in Track and Field as honest, rule abiding competitors than glorified cheaters.

Test for everything. Ban for positives.

There are millions of Americans who are athletic and don't take drugs.

An athlete who takes drugs only represents drugs and selfishness.

I prefer a clean sport and clean winners.

Sha'Carri gets what she deserves and if it costs her a future,she chose the drug. SHE chose it.

To hell with Sha'Carri ...she doesn't represent clean athletic America.

A drug user doesn't deserve the run against Fraser-Pryce.

Stoppit Smith wrote:

A drug user doesn't deserve the run against Fraser-Pryce.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

CopperRunner wrote:

No I along with Letsrun are basically saying she broke the rules so she should be banned.

The US letting an athlete slide because of the reasons you stated would make the US look really bad and like they don’t respect their own rules.

Do you mean like when a lowlife cop relative gets away with traffic infractions due to that POS badge

in their window or PBA card? That type of rule breaking?

Yusef Scummm wrote:

CopperRunner wrote:

No I along with Letsrun are basically saying she broke the rules so she should be banned.

The US letting an athlete slide because of the reasons you stated would make the US look really bad and like they don’t respect their own rules.

Do you mean like when a lowlife cop relative gets away with traffic infractions due to that POS badge

in their window or PBA card? That type of rule breaking?

Or when Officer Villanueva of LAPD lets Tiger Woods off with no questions and protects his clubs.

That's not ok.

Neither is selective banning.