J’can athlete tests positive for banned substance

Jamaica’s track and field programme is again under the microscope, following reports that the ‘A’ sample of a Jamaican sprinter has returned an adverse analytical finding for a banned diuretic.

Well-placed sources say that the athlete was tested by officers from the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) at the National Trials, which took place at the National Stadium between June 20-23. The athlete has, however, denied any wrongdoing.

The substance is understood to have been found in an over-the-counter cold and flu medication - Pharma Cold and Flu, which was consumed by the athlete.

STAR Sports sources say the athlete did in fact declare the medication on their anti-doping form during the testing process at the National Trials.

However, on July 25, the athlete, who has qualified to represent the country at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, next month, was informed by JADCO that their ‘A’ sample had returned a positive result. The athlete then requested, at the beginning of August, that their ‘B’ sample be tested.

The original tests were carried out at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited lab in Montreal, Canada.

10-day deadline

The athlete was given a 10-day deadline to explain the presence of the banned diuretic in their sample. An extension was granted by JADCO after a request from the athlete’s team, which then engaged the independent lab – NSF International Labs in Michigan, USA, to carry out tests on the medication used.

Those tests, according to our information, reportedly showed that the medication used by the athlete was contaminated with traces of the banned diuretic.

JADCO is believed to have received all results and information from the NSF International tests and are expected to make a decision on the way forward.

Under the current WADA and IAAF doping rules, if found guilty, an athlete faces the possibility of a four-year ban for a first offence.

JADCO chairman Alexander Williams’ and Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association president Dr Warren Blake’s phones went unanswered when both were contacted.