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
News
Euthanasia Malpractice, Migrant βAbusesβ and a Racism Ruling: Latest News You Likely Missed
Malayna J. Bizier
June 6th, 2026