The International Athletics Federation favours a change in the status of cannabis

The British president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (World Athletics), Sebastian Coe, expressed support for changing the status of cannabis on the list of prohibited substances following the Suspension of American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, which kept her from competing in the Olympic Games.

When asked about the possibility of reviewing cannabis’s status on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances, Sebastian Coe replied, «That should be the case. It’s reasonable. Nothing is set in stone. From time to time, we adapt and reassess.».

Sebastian Coe took the opportunity to express his sympathy for Sha’Carri Richardson, saying he was sorry to have «lost an exceptional talent.».

A two-time Olympic champion in the 1,500, the president of the World Athletics acknowledged that the current anti-doping rules were applied correctly in his case.

«I don’t want to sound like Joe Biden,» Coe said, referring to the U.S. president’s comments about Richardson—which were both sympathetic and realistic—«but rules are rules, and that’s how they were interpreted.»

After the 2012 London Olympics, the threshold for what constitutes a positive test for cannabis was relaxed in order to ensure that only use during competition would be detected. The WADA rule, which turns out to be fail to make progress due to a lack of U.S. support, can be modified again.

«I think this is an opportune time to review this status,« said Sebastien Coe. «The AIU [(Athletics Integrity Unit] will examine the issue in light of the current circumstances.».

WADA updates the list of prohibitions every year. A change could take place for the 2022 season, which would be a good time for the United States. The 2022 World Athletics Championships will be the first to be held in the United States. And Richardson will be among the favorites.