Comparison between Sha'Carri Richardson and Michael Phelps on pot use lacks context
Sports,Tokyo Olympics,Sha'Carri Richardson
The suspension of Olympic hopeful Sha'Carri Richardson over a positive marijuana test has sparked comparisons with other Olympic athletes who have also used the drug.
A Facebook post aims to compare Richardson and now-retired Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, who won 28 medals.
"Michael Phelps smoked weed, kept all his medals and still participated in the Olympics. Don't y'all start this mess with Sha'Carri," the post reads.
Shared on July 2, the post has been shared over 7,000 times.
Phelps did use marijuana in 2008, months after that year's Olympics. But his situation and Richardson's can't be compared because the timeline of when both athletes used the drug are vastly different.
Related Coverage
AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
Ukraine Continues High-Volume Long-Range Drone Strikes Against Russia With Attacks on Moscow, Rostov, Samara
August 16th, 2026
Headline Roundup
Trump Says He Will Make Strait of Hormuz US Territory
August 15th, 2026
The Insight
The Insight: Why Flock Cameras are Controversial
AllSides Staff
August 14th, 2026
News
Tracking Trump’s Campaign Promises
AllSides Staff
August 13th, 2026