Since being banned from the Tokyo Olympics, Sha’ Carri Richardson says the games just won’t be the same without her.

"The support my community I thank y’all,” she wrote in a tweet last week. “The negative forget y’all and enjoy the games because we all know it won’t be the same.”

Richardson captivated the world of track and field and the internet with her dominant performance at the Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon last month. Her orange hair, signature long nails and confidence had countless folks singing her praises. 

When asked by an NBC reporter what message she wanted the world to know following her victory, Richardson had a classic reply.

“I just want the world to know that I’m that girl that every time I step on the track, I’m going to try to do what it is that me, my coach, my support team believe I can do and the talent that God blessed me to have to do every time I step on the track,” she told NBC Sports after the race.

Since news broke about Richardson’s suspension, many have come out in support of the sprinter citing the hypocrisy of the rules that won’t allow her to compete.

Richardson also garnered support from the halls of congress as Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) and Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) pleaded with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to reconsider the one-month ban in a letter addressed to USADA CEO Travis Tygart and WADA president Witold Banka.

“We urge you to reconsider the policies that led to this and other suspensions for recreational marijuana use, and to reconsider Ms. Richardson’s suspension,” the lawmaker’s letter read. "Please strike a blow for civil liberties and civil rights by reversing this course you are on.”

Ocasio-Cortez and Raskin wrote, "the ban on marijuana is a significant and unnecessary burden on athletes' civil liberties."

They said the marijuana rule is antiquated because of the changing public perception of the drug, which is now legal in 10 states.

As Blavity previously reported, Richardson was banned after testing positive for THC. She admitted to using the substance to cope with the loss of her biological mother.

Although she won’t be she won’t be representing the U.S. as a runner, Richardson made an appearance at the ESPY Awards on Saturday and was greeted with applause when her name was announced. Anthony Mackie, who hosted the show, defended her in his opening monologue. 

"USA Track & Field: How you mess it up, dog?" Mackie said. "How do you justify banning Sha'Carri Richardson for smoking weed? Weed is a de-hancing drug – it  doesn't make you do anything but want to watch another episode of 'Bob's Burgers.' You never saw Snoop Dogg run anywhere! I don't know how you justify not letting her run."

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