News

Drug Tests Positive for five Jamaican Athletes.

By Cheri Cheng | Update Date: Sep 07, 2013 11:22 AM EDT

Jamaica is a country known for their sprinters. After all, the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, is from Jamaica. Since the nation produces some of the best track and field athletes in the world, the pressure of becoming the best and representing one's nation can lead to poor decisions. According to the Jamaican Anti-Doping Commission, five Jamaican athletes just tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Two of these athletes included sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson.

All of the five sprinters had failed their first tests at the national championships last June. The tests were then sent to a World Anti-Doping Agency's accredited lab in Montreal, Canada. The second round of tests confirmed the illegal drug usage and the athletes had withdrawn from their respective events.

Powell and Simpson had tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine. Powell was once the world record holder for the 100m. The results forced Powell from participating in the much-anticipated race against Usain Bolt. The other athletes who were involved in this doping case were discus throwers Allison Randall and Travis Smikle and a junior athlete. According to Powell and Simpson's agent, Paul Doyle, they were given the drugs by their physical trainer, Christopher Xuereb from Canada. Xuereb has responded by stating the he is being pegged as the scapegoat and that he was not involved at all with the drugs.

The test results will now be sent to an independent hearing to see if more disciplinary actions need to be taken.

© 2023 Counsel & Heal All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Join the Conversation

Real Time Analytics