Day Of Drama As Prominent Olympians Get Dropped From Games

In perhaps one of the weirdest days of late, it appears a number of the world bests have been eliminated from the track and field portion of this month’s Olympics.

After an absolutely stunning week and a half of performances the likes we haven’t seen before, today we are presented with the antithesis. Most notably on the women’s front.

Sha’Carrie Richardson, Brianna McNeal, Christine Mboma, Beatrice Masilingi, and Salwa Eid Naser are out.

Probably the most shocking development was finding out that the sixth fastest woman in history a serious contender to take home gold, has been banned for one month for a banned substance violation.

She tested positive for marijuana following the U.S. Olympic Trials and has accepted a 30-day period of ineligibility which began on June 28th. Because the Olympic 100m dash begins prior to her probational period ending, she will not be able to contest the event in Tokyo.

Richardson may still be able to compete in the women’s 4x100m relay, as they begin on August 5th, but we will find out more in the coming weeks.

Richardson herself explained that she used marijuana in an attempt to cope with the loss of her mother who tragically passed away a week before the Olympic Trials.

While many agree, myself included, that marijuana’s place on the banned substance list is likely archaic in most instances, every professional athlete and coach knows full well that they will be reprimanded — a standard every country is held to.

It is truly an unfortunate turn of events, and Richardson is just one of the athletes to take a fall this week.

In the same vein, Olympic champion Brianna McNeal has lost her appeal against a five-year ban imposed on her for breaking anti-doping rules.

McNeal was allowed to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials last week pending a verdict. She had placed second to secure her position in Tokyo had she won the appeal.

Reports state that her case is related to missing a doping test earlier this year while recovering from a surgical abortion. The most significant controversy was that she “tampered“ with medical documents by going back and changing the date of the above procedure.

While we don’t know much more about the precise details, we know that we, unfortunately, won’t be seeing McNeal defending her gold this month. The fourth-fastest woman in history in the event has been placed on a five-year ban due to this being her second doping offense.

The somber news continues as three of the fastest 400m women to have ever competed will also be missing from the Tokyo lineup. Christine Mboma, Beatrice Masilingi, and Salwa Eid Naser have also been ruled out.

Christine Mboma recently set the world junior record and registered the seventh fastest 400m by running a blistering 48.54. Masilingi's 49.53 also made her the third quickest in the one-lap race in the world this year. Both eighteen-year-old girls are Namibian and relative unknowns until this year. This is what prompted an investigation.

Both recorded high natural testosterone levels — levels above the allowable limit by current international standards. The rules set by World Athletics state that athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) — in this case, women with naturally high levels of testosterone — cannot compete in distances between 400m and the mile unless they artificially reduce their testosterone levels to those of an average female.

What this at least means, is that both athletes can, and will still be competing in the 200m dash.

Salwa Eid Naser, the third-fastest 400m runner in history after her 48.14-second world title run in 2019, has been banned for two years.

Much like American Christian Coleman, Naser missed three doping tests between January 2019 and January 2020. Naser was originally charged with missing four anti-doping tests but was excused of one after a testing official was found to have gone to the wrong address.

Again, an indefensible and easily avoidable offense, but one that we see sadly happen all too often.

This leaves a very large hole in the women’s 400m Olympics this year. In fact, the top seven fastest runners in the event since 2019 will be missing due to one reason or another. For some, they chose to step into other events this time around, and for those listed above — well you know.

In their stead stand two prominent American women who we’ll be watching very carefully. Can Wadeline Jonathas take her 2019 fourth-place finish and turn it into gold? Will Allyson Felix make another mark on history and become the most accomplished female Olympian ever by capturing her tenth medal?