US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson could miss Olympics after reports of failed drug test

Texan was aiming to become the first American woman to win Olympic 100m title since Gail Devers

Sha'Carri Richardson celebrates after winning the women's 100m in 10.86 at the US Olympic trials at Hayward Field in June. USA TODAY Sports

American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson could be set to miss the Olympics after reports she tested positive for cannabis.

Reuters revealed that the positive test came at the US Olympic trials last month where Richardson's time of 10.86 seconds in the 100m suggested she could be a gold-medal challenger. The result would mean all of Richardson’s results from the meet are wiped out.

The Texan was aiming to become the first American woman to win the Olympic 100m title since Gail Devers in 1996 and has posted five runs under 11 seconds this season.

Calls and emails to Richardson’s agent, Renaldo Nehemiah, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and USA Track and Field (USATF) went unanswered on Thursday, according to the news agency.

In a tweet earlier in the day, Richardson wrote: “I am human”.

Cannabis is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) but if athletes can prove that their ingestion of the substance was unrelated to sports performance then a suspension of three months rather than the usual four years is imposed.

Reports suggest that Jenna Prandini, who finished fourth in the 100m final at the trials, will replace Richardson's in the 100 in Tokyo.