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U.S. sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson left off relay list, won't run at Tokyo Olympics

July 6 (UPI) -- United States star sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson was left off the Olympic roster released Tuesday by USA Track and Field, meaning she won't compete at the Summer Games in Tokyo.

The decision comes after Richardson tested positive for marijuana, which resulted in a one-month suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency last week. The positive test nullified her win at Olympic trials in Eugene, Ore., last month and the spot that went with it in Tokyo in the 100-meter individual race.

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Richardson's 30-day ban was set to end before the start of the relays Aug. 5, which left the door open for her participation as part of the 4x100 relay team. Her name, however, wasn't on the roster USATF sent out Tuesday.

The federation had two optional picks beyond the top four finishers in the 100-meter final during trials, but USATF decided not to extend a spot to the 21-year-old Richardson, who was expected to contend for gold this summer.

"First and foremost, we are incredibly sympathetic toward Sha'Carri Richardson's extenuating circumstances and strongly applaud her accountability -- and will offer her our continued support both on and off the track," USATF officials said in a statement Tuesday.

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"While USATF fully agrees that the merit of the World Anti-Doping Agency rules related to THC should be re-evaluated, it would be detrimental to the integrity of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track & Field if USATF amended its policies following competition, only weeks before the Olympic Games."

With USATF's decision, the remaining relay spots went to the sixth- and seventh-place finishers in trials: English Gardner and Aleia Hobbs.

Richardson tested positive for marijuana after her victory in the women's 100-meter race at trials, which punched her ticket to Tokyo. The star runner admitted she ingested the marijuana after learning that her biological mother died shortly before the trials.

"I know I can't hide myself, so in some type of way, I was trying to hide my pain," she said on NBC's Today show last week.

The postponed 2020 Summer Games run from July 23 to Aug. 8 in Tokyo.

Notable Olympians returning to Summer Games

Simone Biles stands on the floor after winning the gold medal in the floor exercise at the Olympic Arena of the Rio Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on August 16, 2016. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

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