Williams awaits IADP decision

National junior sprinter Briana Williams’ anti-doping hearing concluded a day earlier than expected yesterday and she now faces an anxious wait for the decision of the Independent Anti-Doping Panel (IADP).

The scheduled three-day hearing, which started on Monday, is being held to determine if Williams is liable for blame after she tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) at the National Senior Championships in June.

IADP chairman Kent Gammon said that they have all the evidence required from both parties and that a decision is expected to be handed down in short order.

“We have received all the submissions from the parties and we have advised the athlete and the Jamaica Anti Doping Commission (JADCO) that we will make our findings in a very short time,” he told reporters yesterday.

Williams’ representative, Dr Emir Crowne, was dissatisfied with the lack of an immediate decision given that if she is cleared, the athlete faces a short window to travel and register for the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, which start this Friday. Additionally, he says that Williams is considering withdrawing from the team despite not knowing the panel’s decision but is concerned that it would be seen as heaping additional punishment on the athlete.

Voluntarily withdraw

“This would punish the athlete twice if she has to voluntarily withdraw not knowing the sanction and to Ms Williams credit she is willing to do that, but I don’t think any athlete would want to be in that spot where they are forced to withdraw. But that is where we are, unfortunately,” he said.

“We all know why from day one I wanted an expedited hearing because it affects Doha. The panel is independent of the Jamaican Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) yes. But it isn’t independent of Jamaica. It has to know the environment that it’s operating in.”

Gammon is adamant, however, that the panel would not be pressured into an early decision on the matter. “We have taken into account that factor (Doha) but it’s not going to predicate how we decide,” he said.