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Friday, 1 November 2013

Jamaica Commits to Better Tests

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Jamaica's sports minister Natalie Neita-Headley has vowed to improve the country's drug testing after a visit from the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The visit follows allegations Jamaica's drug testing regime was inadequate.

Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Sherone Simpson allrecently tested positive for banned substances.

Neita-Headley said the Jamaican Anti-Doping Commission's (Jadco) two-day meeting with Wada had been "constructive" and "fruitful".

Jadco was criticised by its former executive director Renee Anne Shirley, who had claimed testing in the run-up to the London Olympics was virtually non-existent.

Wada's audit is not expected to be made public until after their conference in Johannesburg, which runs from 12-15 November.

Neita-Headley added: "I am pleased to confirm that the three-member Wada team visited Jamaica and engaged in constructive meetings with Jadco over the past two days.

"They had very fruitful discussions with our team and have committed to working in closer partnership with Jadco to make it not only world class but also best in class.

"There is no doubt that we have done some things well but, like with all other growing organisations, Jadco is only five years young and there are areas that we are seeking to improve."

The agency is increasing staff numbers, with nine new posts likely to be filled within two months in addition to the newly appointed executive director Carey Brown.

Thursday, 25 July 2013

Positive Powell Wants Fast Track Return

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Former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell says he wants to return to the track as soon as possible after his failed drug test.

The 30-year-old tested positive for banned stimulant oxilofrine at the Jamaican Championships in June.

When the news emerged, he said he had never "knowingly or wilfully taken any supplements that break any rules" and has reiterated that stance.

"This has been the most difficult week of my athletic career," said Powell.

"The supplements I took formed part of a very strict and rigid training regimen," he added in a statement.

Powell and American sprinter Tyson Gay's failed drug tests were made public 10 days ago and both are now awaiting the results of their B samples.

Powell said checks done by his team "told us the supplements were fit for consumption by professional athletes".

"I have retained legal counsel and as such I cannot now discuss all the details of the case," he added.

"I will say, however, that I have requested that my B sample be tested and I await the results.

"Should this sample return adverse results, my team and I hope that the hearings will happen as fast as possible so as to allow me to return to my team, to once again represent my country, and to make my family, friends, and fans proud."

Powell was the last man to hold the individual 100m record before compatriot Usain Bolt broke it in 2008.

He later helped Jamaica win 4x100m relay gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Sherone Simpson, a 4x100m relay silver medallist at last year's London Olympics, failed a drug test at the same event as Powell.

Discus thrower Allison Randall confirmed she had returned a positive test at last month's trials on 15 July, the same day police in Italy raided the hotel rooms of Powell and Simpson and took away unspecified drugs for analysis.

Jamaican world 200m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown tested positive for a banned diuretic in May, the same month Gay provided his positive sample in an out-of-competition test.