Powell, Simpson could face serious sanctions

(Jamaica Gleaner) Sports medicine expert Dr Paul Wright has indicated that there could be serious sanctions for the two Jamaican athletes who tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine.

Speaking on Independent Talk on Power 106 FM yesterday morning, Wright said Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson are in big trouble because it has emerged that the stimulant carries a penalty only if it is found in the sample of an athlete during a competition.

This would suggest that there was intent, and under international rules governing the sports and athletes, they are responsible for everything that goes into their bodies.

Former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell and his MVP teammate Sherone Simpson confirmed on Sunday that they tested positive for oxilofrine during last month’s Jamaican World Championships trials.

Powell has blamed his positive drug on a range of new nutritional supplements prescribed to him by a Canadian trainer he has only been working with for two months.

It was revealed on Sunday that five Jamaican athletes and the fastest man this year American Tyson Gay tested positive for banned substances.

Gay announced that one of his samples from an out-of-competition test in May came back positive for an undisclosed substance.