Jamaican anti-doping panel bans Asafa Powell
IAAF declines to comment as former 100 metres world record holder's 18-month suspension is back-dated to June last year
Former 100 metres world record holder Asafa Powell was banned for 18 months by a Jamaican anti-doping disciplinary panel yesterday after he tested positive for a banned substance last year.
The Jamaican sprinter, 31, tested positive for the stimulant oxilophrine at last year’s national championships and the ban has been backdated to June 21 2013 - the day he provided the sample. His ban will end on December 20.
Powell’s sanction comes two days after his former training partner Sherone Simpson received an 18-month suspension from the same panel for the same substance.
This case concerns an international athlete and the full, reasoned decision of the member federation has to be sent to the IAAF and considered by the doping review board.
Another Jamaican, Olympic discus thrower Allison Randall, was also handed a two-year ban for using the prohibited diuretic hydrochlorothiazide on Tuesday.
Powell, who missed last year’s world championships as a result of his failed test, had testified in January that Canadian physical trainer Chris Xuereb provided him with nine supplements, including Epiphany D1.
His legal team had presented three different laboratory reports that Epiphany D1 contained the stimulant oxilofrine. However, the two-time 100m world championship bronze medallist told the hearing that he had failed to list them because he could not remember their names.
Xuereb denied providing performance enhancing drugs and said the sprinters should take responsibility for their failed dope tests.