'Keep moving forward Sha'Carri': Jackson Lee voices support for Olympic athlete suspended from competition

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) recently reacted to the suspension of athlete Sha'Carri Richardson from the U.S. Olympic team for marijuana usage.

On June 28, Dallas native and Olympic hopeful Sha’Carri Richardson received a month-long ban from competing in the Tokyo summer games because she tested positive for marijuana in violation of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)'s rules, according to CBS Sports News.

Richardson accepted the ban and explained that she used marijuana to cope with the recent death of her mother. 

She added that she used the substance in the state of Oregon, a state where marijuana is legal.

"We should embrace Sha'Carri Richardson and recognize her courage for speaking on her actions," Lee said in a July 8 Twitter post. "We should stand by her in her quest in the future, for her track dreams, and thank her for her honesty in these very trying and difficult times. I stand with @itskerrii and wish her the very best in her future. I honor the enormous hard work and training that Sha’Carri has done over years to make herself into the world-class runner that she is! Where the rest of us can only stand back and admire her championship qualities! Keep moving forward Sha'Carri!"

Richardson will be unable to run in 100-meter race, but USA Track and Field hasn't decided whether she will be able to compete in the 4x100-meter relay team event, according to CBS Sports News.

"Richardson's situation is incredibly unfortunate and devastating for everyone involved," USA Track and Field said in a statement, CBS Sports News reported. "Athlete health and well-being continue to be one of USATF's most critical priorities and we will work with Sha'Carri to ensure she has ample resources to overcome any mental health challenges now and in the future."

In response to her suspension, Richardson said, "That sent me in a state of mind, in a state of emotional panic, if anything. During all that, I still, even though I'm here, I still have to go out and put on a performance for my dream," CBS Sports News reported

An alumna of both Dallas Carter High School and LSU, the 21-year-old Richardson initially punched her ticket for Tokyo in the women's 100m in Eugene, Oregon last month, NBC DFW News reported.

Last April, she captured the attention of the world when she ran 10.72 in the 100m, becoming the sixth-fastest woman of all-time at the event.