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      Simone Biles withdraws from Tokyo 2020 Olympic floor final due to ongoing mental health struggles and unsure

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      GYMNASTICS superstar Simone Biles has withdrawn from Monday’s floor final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.The Team USA ace withdrew from the women’s team final and all-around final earlier this week after posting her lowest Olympic vault score in the opening rotation.
      Simone Biles has withdrawn from Monday’s floor finalsCredit: AFP
      Biles, who has been struggling with her mental health during the tournament, then opted not to compete in the vault and uneven finals.
      And the 24-year-old has decided against taking part in the floor final.
      A USA Gymnastics tweet read: “Simone has withdrawn from the event final for floor and will make a decision on beam later this week.
      “Either way, we’re all behind you, Simone.”
      Following her surprising display in the opening rotation, Ohio’s Biles admitted she doesn’t ‘trust herself’ as much as she used to.
      She said: “After the performance I did, I just didn’t want to go on. I have to focus on my mental health.
      “I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.
      “We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.
      “I don’t trust myself as much anymore. Maybe it’s getting older. There were a couple of days when everybody tweets you and you feel the weight of the world.
      We’re all behind you, Simone.Gymnastics USA
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      “We’re not just athletes. We’re people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back.”
      Biles, who is considered by many to be the greatest gymnast of all time, has received plenty of support from her fellow athletes.
      Some, however, have been critical of the American, who recently shared a video of herself landing on her back when attempting a twistie on social media.
      The accompanying caption read: “For anyone saying I quit. I didn’t quit, my mind and body are simply not in sync.
      “As you can see [in the video]. I don’t think you realize how hard this is on hard/competition surface.
      “Nor do I have to explain why I put health first. Physical health is mental health.”
      She added: “No, this was not happening before I left the USA.
      “It randomly started after prelims competition the very next morning.
      “By that time no an alternate was not allowed to be placed in my position for you ‘know it alls’.
      “We have four on a team for a reason. I chose not to continue team competition [and risk] losing a medal (of any color) for the girls/US.
      “Also for my own safety and health.”
      “COURAGEOUS”
      IOC president Thomas Bach has praised Biles for prioritising her mental health over personal and team glory, saying: “I can only say, you know, we are with her,
      “I must personally say I had the opportunity to at least briefly talk with her after the team competition.
      “I’m really admiring how she’s handling the situation. She admits to having this problem. This is already courageous.
      “Who one year ago would have admitted to say (they) have mental health problems?
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      “And at the same time then cheering on (her) team-mates.
      And then being there, and supporting when her successor is in the all-around final?
      “This is, you know, great human quality and this is Olympic spirit at its best.”
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      IOC boss praises Simone Biles for speaking up about mental health More

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      Why isn’t Usain Bolt competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and who is favourite for men’s 100m?

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      THE Tokyo Olympics is getting underway and no event will be more eagerly anticipated than the men’s 100m sprint.However, it won’t feel quite the same without Usain Bolt competing.
      Usain Bolt will be playing no part in this summer’s OlympicsCredit: Reuters
      Why isn’t Usain Bolt at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?
      Usain Bolt will not be at the Tokyo Olympic Games because he has retired.
      The Jamaican, who would be competing in Tokyo at the age of 34 if he had continued, last raced at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London.
      There, he picked up a bronze medal after being beaten by American duo Christian Coleman and Justin Gatlin.
      That marked the first time he had been beaten in a sprint final since the 4x100m relay at the 2007 World Championships.
      And in the 4x100m in London, Bolt pulled his hamstring and was carried over the line in agony by his Jamaican team-mates in his final ever race.
      Trayvon Bromell is favourite to win the men’s 100m in TokyoCredit: AFP
      A year later, Bolt attempted to live a lifelong dream of pursuing a career in football as he signed for Australia’s Central Coast Mariners.
      However, after eight weeks he was unable to agree a contract extension and said: “My sports life is over.”
      He added that it was “fun while it lasted,” saying he “really enjoyed just being in a team and it was [much] different from track and field.”
      Bolt concluded: “I’m just doing many different things … the sports life is over, so I’m now moving into different businesses.
      “I have a lot of things in the pipeline, so as I say, I’m just dabbling in everything and trying to be a businessman now.”
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      Who will win the 100m in Tokyo?
      American Trayvon Bromell is the favourite to take up Usain Bolt’s mantle as the fastest man on the planet.
      As of Monday, July 19 the latest odds from Paddy Power are as follows:

      Trayvon Bromell (USA) Evens
      Ronnie Baker (USA) 7/2
      Akani Simbine (RSA) 9/2
      Andre De Graase (CAN) 5/1
      Fred Kerley (USA) 12/1
      Yohan Blake (JAM) 17/1
      Marcell Jacobs (ITA) 17/1
      Zharnel Hughes (GBR) 22/1 More

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      How many false starts are sprinters allowed in the 100m? Rules explained for 200m, 400m, hurdles and relay at Olympics

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      SPRINTERS are allowed ZERO false starts at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and if found guilty will be instantly disqualified – if they starter decides they’ve violated it.From January 2010 onward, the official track and field false start regulation indicated that any athlete starting within 100 milliseconds of the gun being fired would be disqualified from the race.
      Usain Bolt’s false start in the men’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in South KoreaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      James Dasaolu holds head in hands after disqualification from 2016 World Indoor Championships, OregonCredit: Reuters
      Research has found that a reaction time faster than one-tenth of a second is impossible for a human, and the runner is therefore deemed to have anticipated the gun.
      On the ‘Track & Field 101: Rules’ on the Olympics website, it states: “If a sprinter commences his or her starting motion from the set position before the Starter’s gun is fired, it is deemed a false start. The first false start of a race results in an automatic disqualification to the offending runner.”
      How can they detect a false start?
      False start detection systems were introduced in 1979 and Omega’s false start detection system made its Olympics debut at the Los Angeles Olympics Games.
      In major athletics competitions, reaction times are currently detected using IAAF accredited false start detection systems.
      These systems determine athletes reaction time using encased accelerometers or force sensors fixed to the rear of the starting block rail to detect changes in force or acceleration exerted on the blocks through the feet.
      RT’s can now be instantly calculated accurately to 0.001 of a second, but for results, are recorded to the nearest 0.01 second.
      For athletics and specifically sprint athletes reaction times and overall sprint time detection methods have improved dramatically since the original 1896 Olympic Games.
      Were false starts previously allowed?
      Originally, before 2010, the “one-and-done” regulation was implemented meaning one false start per race in events up to 400 metres would be allowed rather than one false start per athlete as in the past.
      This means the athlete making the second false start of a race, breaking the accepted reaction time of 0.10 seconds, will be disqualified regardless of whether he or she was responsible for the first one.
      However, sprinters would often take advantage of the previous false start rules, purposely jumping the gun either to play mind games with their competition and set them on edge before the race or use the extra leniency to predict the gun and gain bonus milliseconds from their efforts.
      So, World Athletics just decided to just ban any false starts – it’s one and YOU’RE OUT.
      🥇 TOKYO OLYMPICS LIVE: All the latest from the Games with our live blog
      🥇 WHAT’S ON TODAY? Best bits to watch at the Olympics and UK times for your favourite stars
      Famous false starts at previous track and field events
      Usain Bolt
      At the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea, Usain Bolt, 100-meter world record holder, jumped the gun in the 100-meter final over a year after the new regulations had been put into place.
      Bolt walked off the track, head in hands, only to watch his Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake take the gold.
      Usain Bolt after disqualification at 2011 World ChampionshipsCredit: AFP
      Jon Drummond
      Drummond’s infamous “I did not move!” plea after his disqualification at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris.
      Drummond protested his disqualification by storming into the infield, repeatedly yelling in front of officials and laying on the track.
      His tantrum delayed the 100-meter final by ONE HOUR. 
      A race official shows Jon Drummond the red card after his false start at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in ParisCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Linford Christie
      The 1992 Olympic 100-meter champion was disqualified under an even older false-start rule.

      Before 2003, any sprinter could false start once and get away with just a warning however Christie reacted early twice, delayed the competition and refused to leave the track.
      This was the first time a previous champion was unable to defend his title live on TV.
      Linford Christie walking back to his starting blocks after disqualification at the 1992 Barcelona gamesCredit: Reuters More

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      Heartbreak for Team GB star Jessie Knight as she collides with first hurdle and out of Olympics following Covid hell

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      TEAM GB star Jessie Knight suffered Olympic heartbreak after falling at the first hurdle of her 400m heat.The 27-year-old’s Games got off to the worst possible start, when somebody on her flight tested positive for Covid-19 12 days ago.
      #GBR  Kneels before 1st hurdle Jessie knight. She okay. Not cool that this was a restart. She would have rocked it on the first start. First start called off for echo pic.twitter.com/bAerT2qLC6— G G (@tweetgregory) July 31, 2021

      Jessie Knight stumbled into the first hurdleCredit: AFP
      The Team GB star was left tearful on the groundCredit: AFP
      The 27-year-old was left devastatedCredit: Getty
      This meant that, upon arrival in Japan, Knight was forced to isolate.
      She could train once a day, but was denied freedom to roam the village and properly prepare for her event.
      And when the day finally came around for her to compete, it couldn’t have gone any worse.
      Knight tripped heading into the first hurdle, following an initial false start, hurtling straight into it.
      The heartbroken star was understandably a picture of anguish as she rose from the ground, her opposition disappearing into the distance.
      She was left in tears, and didn’t want to speak after her immense disappointment.
      A primary school teacher by trade, Knight had given up her job in order to chase her Olympic dream on a full-time basis.
      After her inauspicious arrival in Tokyo, Knight tried to make the best of things – joking that having all her food brought to her made her feel like royalty.
      But frustrated team-mate Zak Seddon, who was also having to isolate upon arrival, couldn’t help but having a pop at her doing so.
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      He wrote, in a now deleted social media post: “Article makes me so mad.
      “So undermining of us who are struggling with this situation, thrive off social interaction, and perform our best when we get the stimulus from the championship environment.”
      All hope is not lost for Knight, however, as she will be back competing the 4×400 women’s hurdles relay on Thursday.
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      Jonny Brownlee shares his emotions after winning Triathlon mixed relay gold at Tokyo 2020 More

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      How many false starts are sprinters allowed in 100m? Rules explained for 200m, 400m, hurdles and relay at Olympics

      by

      SPRINTERS are allowed ZERO false starts at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and if found guilty will be instantly disqualified – if they starter decides they’ve violated it.From January 2010 onward, the official track and field false start regulation indicated that any athlete starting within 100 milliseconds of the gun being fired would be disqualified from the race.
      Usain Bolt’s false start in the men’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in South KoreaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      James Dasaolu holds head in hands after disqualification from 2016 World Indoor Championships, OregonCredit: Reuters
      Research has found that a reaction time faster than one-tenth of a second is impossible for a human, and the runner is therefore deemed to have anticipated the gun.
      On the ‘Track & Field 101: Rules’ on the Olympics website, it states: “If a sprinter commences his or her starting motion from the set position before the Starter’s gun is fired, it is deemed a false start. The first false start of a race results in an automatic disqualification to the offending runner.”
      How can they detect a false start?
      False start detection systems were introduced in 1979 and Omega’s false start detection system made its Olympics debut at the Los Angeles Olympics Games.
      In major athletics competitions, reaction times are currently detected using IAAF accredited false start detection systems.
      These systems determine athletes reaction time using encased accelerometers or force sensors fixed to the rear of the starting block rail to detect changes in force or acceleration exerted on the blocks through the feet.
      RT’s can now be instantly calculated accurately to 0.001 of a second, but for results, are recorded to the nearest 0.01 second.
      For athletics and specifically sprint athletes reaction times and overall sprint time detection methods have improved dramatically since the original 1896 Olympic Games.
      Were false starts previously allowed?
      Originally, before 2010, the “one-and-done” regulation was implemented meaning one false start per race in events up to 400 metres would be allowed rather than one false start per athlete as in the past.
      This means the athlete making the second false start of a race, breaking the accepted reaction time of 0.10 seconds, will be disqualified regardless of whether he or she was responsible for the first one.
      However, sprinters would often take advantage of the previous false start rules, purposely jumping the gun either to play mind games with their competition and set them on edge before the race or use the extra leniency to predict the gun and gain bonus milliseconds from their efforts.
      So, World Athletics just decided to just ban any false starts – it’s one and YOU’RE OUT.
      🥇 TOKYO OLYMPICS LIVE: All the latest from the Games with our live blog
      🥇 WHAT’S ON TODAY? Best bits to watch at the Olympics and UK times for your favourite stars
      Famous false starts at previous track and field events
      Usain Bolt
      At the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea, Usain Bolt, 100-meter world record holder, jumped the gun in the 100-meter final over a year after the new regulations had been put into place.
      Bolt walked off the track, head in hands, only to watch his Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake take the gold.
      Usain Bolt after disqualification at 2011 World ChampionshipsCredit: AFP
      Jon Drummond
      Drummond’s infamous “I did not move!” plea after his disqualification at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris.
      Drummond protested his disqualification by storming into the infield, repeatedly yelling in front of officials and laying on the track.
      His tantrum delayed the 100-meter final by ONE HOUR. 
      A race official shows Jon Drummond the red card after his false start at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in ParisCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Linford Christie
      The 1992 Olympic 100-meter champion was disqualified under an even older false-start rule.

      Before 2003, any sprinter could false start once and get away with just a warning however Christie reacted early twice, delayed the competition and refused to leave the track.
      This was the first time a previous champion was unable to defend his title live on TV.
      Linford Christie walking back to his starting blocks after disqualification at the 1992 Barcelona gamesCredit: Reuters More

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      Simone Biles all-but quits rest of Tokyo 2020 Olympics after opting out of vault and uneven events due to mental health

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      GYMNASTICS poster girl Simone Biles looks set to quit Tokyo 2020 after opting out of her first two individual finals.American Biles, who was expected to dominate the tournament and become one of the defining images of the Games, has instead developed into a dramatic storyline.
      Simone Biles has withdrawn from the single vault and uneven bar eventsCredit: Reuters
      The 24-year-old Biles, who has admitted to significant mental issues, pulled out of the team competition final after a single vault.
      She stayed inside the Ariake Gymnastics Centre to cheer her team-mates on to silver and was again a spectator for the all-round final won by Sunisa Lee.
      Biles, though, had remained on the start list for the four apparatus finals tomorrow and Monday.
      But US Gymnastics today announced: “After further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars. 
      “She will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether to compete in the finals for floor exercise and balance beam. 
      “We remain in awe of Simone, who continues to handle this situation with courage and grace, and all of the athletes who have stepped up during these unexpected circumstances.”
      Biles withdrew from the women’s team final and all-around final after turning in her lowest Olympic vault score in the opening rotation.
      And after the unexpected display, the Ohioan revealed she didn’t ‘trust’ herself to produce the required performance.
      She said: “After the performance I did, I just didn’t want to go on. I have to focus on my mental health.
      “I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.
      After further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven barsA US Gymnastics statement
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      “We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.
      “I don’t trust myself as much anymore. Maybe it’s getting older. There were a couple of days when everybody tweets you and you feel the weight of the world.
      “We’re not just athletes. We’re people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back.”
      The sporting world has rallied around Biles and praised her for prioritising her mental health.
      The four-time defending champion, however, has also received plenty of criticism – including from TV star Piers Morgan.
      But on Friday, Biles posted a video of herself landing on her back in training as she attempted twisties.
      The accompanying caption for the since-deleted video read: “For anyone saying I quit. I didn’t quit, my mind and body are simply not in sync.
      “As you can see [in the video]. I don’t think you realize how hard this is on hard/competition surface.
      “Nor do I have to explain why I put health first. Physical health is mental health.”
      She added: ‘No, this was not happening before I left the USA,’ she wrote. ‘It randomly started after prelims competition the very next morning.
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      “By that time no an alternate was not allowed to be placed in my position for you “know it alls”.
      “We have four on a team for a reason. I chose not to continue team competition [and risk] losing a medal (of any color) for the girls/US.
      “Also for my own safety and health.”
      Simone Biles shares scary vid of her landing on her back during training as she struggles with ‘twisties’ More

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      How many false starts are sprinters allowed in athletics? 100m, 200m, 400m, hurdles and relay Olympics rules explained

      by

      SPRINTERS are allowed ZERO false starts at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and if found guilty will be instantly disqualified.From January 2010 onward, the official track and field false start regulation indicated that any athlete starting within 100 milliseconds of the gun being fired would be disqualified from the race.
      Usain Bolt’s false start in the men’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in South KoreaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      James Dasaolu holds head in hands after disqualification from 2016 World Indoor Championships, OregonCredit: Reuters
      Research has found that a reaction time faster than one-tenth of a second is impossible for a human, and the runner is therefore deemed to have anticipated the gun.
      On the ‘Track & Field 101: Rules’ on the Olympics website, it states: “If a sprinter commences his or her starting motion from the set position before the Starter’s gun is fired, it is deemed a false start. The first false start of a race results in an automatic disqualification to the offending runner.”
      How can they detect a false start?
      False start detection systems were introduced in 1979 and Omega’s false start detection system made its Olympics debut at the Los Angeles Olympics Games.
      In major athletics competitions, reaction times are currently detected using IAAF accredited false start detection systems.
      These systems determine athletes reaction time using encased accelerometers or force sensors fixed to the rear of the starting block rail to detect changes in force or acceleration exerted on the blocks through the feet.
      RT’s can now be instantly calculated accurately to 0.001 of a second, but for results, are recorded to the nearest 0.01 second.
      For athletics and specifically sprint athletes reaction times and overall sprint time detection methods have improved dramatically since the original 1896 Olympic Games.
      Were false starts previously allowed?
      Originally, before 2010, the “one-and-done” regulation was implemented meaning one false start per race in events up to 400 metres would be allowed rather than one false start per athlete as in the past.
      This means the athlete making the second false start of a race, breaking the accepted reaction time of 0.10 seconds, will be disqualified regardless of whether he or she was responsible for the first one.
      However, sprinters would often take advantage of the previous false start rules, purposely jumping the gun either to play mind games with their competition and set them on edge before the race or use the extra leniency to predict the gun and gain bonus milliseconds from their efforts.
      So, World Athletics just decided to just ban any false starts – it’s one and YOU’RE OUT.
      Famous false starts at previous track and field events
      Usain Bolt
      At the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea, Usain Bolt, 100-meter world record holder, jumped the gun in the 100-meter final over a year after the new regulations had been put into place.
      Bolt walked off the track, head in hands, only to watch his Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake take the gold.
      Usain Bolt after disqualification at 2011 World ChampionshipsCredit: AFP
      Jon Drummond
      Drummond’s infamous “I did not move!” plea after his disqualification at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris.
      Drummond protested his disqualification by storming into the infield, repeatedly yelling in front of officials and laying on the track.
      His tantrum delayed the 100-meter final by ONE HOUR. 
      A race official shows Jon Drummond the red card after his false start at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in ParisCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Linford Christie
      The 1992 Olympic 100-meter champion was disqualified under an even older false-start rule.

      Before 2003, any sprinter could false start once and get away with just a warning however Christie reacted early twice, delayed the competition and refused to leave the track.
      This was the first time a previous champion was unable to defend his title live on TV.
      Linford Christie walking back to his starting blocks after disqualification at the 1992 Barcelona gamesCredit: Reuters More

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      Who is USA sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson and why is she not at the Olympics in Toyko?

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      THERE are few greater thrills in sport than watching an Olympic sprinter run on the biggest stage.And that was the dream for US 100 metres star Sha’Carri Richardson, who was tipped by many for a medal at this summer’s Olympics in Tokyo.
      Richardson had been expected to take the Olympics by storm this summerCredit: Reuters
      Who is Sha’Carri Richardson?
      Born in Dallas, Texas in 2000, Richardson is one of Team USA’s rising stars.
      An exciting sprinter, she competes in the 100m and 200m and rose to fame after a stunning run for Louisiana State University in 2019.
      Sha’Carri ran a 10.75sec race for the 100m, breaking the NCAA record and in turn becoming one of the fastest teenagers of all time.
      Fast forward to 2021 and she was breaking records again, recording a personal best 10.72sec in the run-up to the Olympics in Tokyo.
      As a result of that run, she is now the fourth-fastest American woman in history.
      But the US star will not be competing in TokyoCredit: Getty
      Richardson has always been a talented sprinter and won the 100m title at the Junior Olympics in 2016.
      She is known for her colourful hair styles and revealed after qualifying for the Olympics that her girlfriend picked the colour.
      She told USA Today: “My girlfriend actually picked my [hair] colour.
      “She said it like spoke to her, the fact that it was just so loud and vibrant, and that’s who I am.”
      Richardson’s stunning athleticism has seen fans compare her to the legendary Florence “Flo Jo” Griffith Joyner.
      Flo-Jo won gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and relay race at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in South Korea.

      Why is she not at the Olympics?
      Unfortunately, Richardson will not be competing this summer at the Olympics.
      She was disqualified last month from participating in individual Olympic events after testing positive for THC, the chemical found in marijuana.
      Cannabis was banned by WADA as of January 1 this year and could carry a ban of up to four years.
      Sha’Carri claims that she only smoked weed to cope with the pain of finding out that her biological mother had died. 
      Richardson had qualified for the Olympics earlier this year but that run has been scrubbed from the record booksCredit: Reuters
      Her cousin Chasity Lanell told the US Sun: “I really feel [the ban] is unfair.
      “Sha’Carri really does inspire a lot of people and everybody makes mistakes. 
      “She is going through a very hard time because of the loss of her mother. 
      “It’s unfair to take something from someone who started from the bottom and made their way up to the top, from nothing. 
      “People are judging her from the outside but they don’t really know what she’s going through on the inside. 
      “It was just a little marijuana, it is a legal substance in the state where she took it.” More