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SIU Professor: Richardson Suspension Shines Light on Elite Athletics' Pressures

EUGENE, OREGON - JUNE 19: Sha'Carri Richardson runs and celebrates in the Women's 100 Meter semifinal 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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EUGENE, OREGON - JUNE 19: Sha'Carri Richardson runs and celebrates in the Women's 100 Meter semifinal 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

An SIU Professor says the suspension of Sha'Carri Richardson over a positive marijuana test highlights the complex nature of elite sports competitions - and it's something he thinks should be carefully reviewed.

Phil Anton is the director of SIU's Exercise Science program. He says Richardson's suspension effectively eliminates a highly anticipated race at the Tokyo Olympics - where she would face off against Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price.

"That was going to be one of the absolutely huge highlights - because the sprints are always a big deal at the Olympics - but that was going to be a monstrous event, and now, unless it's overturned, it's not going to happen."

Anton says the incident shines a spotlight on performance-enhancing drugs, and says there is a school of thought that athletes are being pushed too far - mentally and physically.

He says the pressure to be the best, with the cleanest record, is a heavy burden for athletes.

"I would definitely, definitely be on the side of we are pushing the athletes too far from the perspective of keeping them completely, 100% clean of any sort of substance."

Still, Anton says Richardson and other athletes at that level know the risk they take when they choose to use any substance - and that those risks have consequences.

Jennifer Fuller joined Capitol News Illinois in July 2023 as the organization’s broadcast director. She will oversee the launch and operations of CNI’s new broadcast division.

Contact Jennifer Fuller at jfuller@capitolnewsillinois.com
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