Doping hearing set for Asafa, Sherone

Sherone Simpson and Asafa Powell yesterday

(Jamaica Gleaner) Former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell and his MVP teammate Sherone Simpson are to face the disciplinary panel of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission in January 2014.

Powell and Simpson, who were among five Jamaicans who tested positive at the World Championship Trials in June, were given their trial dates this morning at a preliminary hearing at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.

Simpson will have her hearing on January 7 and 8, while Powell’s hearing will be from January 14-15.

Powell and Simpson have tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine.

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

Sherone Simpson and Asafa Powell yesterday
Sherone Simpson and Asafa Powell yesterday

Powell and Simpson were among five Jamaicans who were informed in July that they tested positive for banned substances.

The other three athletes – discus throwers Allison Randall and Traves Smikle along with high jumper Demar Robinson – had their preliminary hearings a week ago.

Randall, the only one of the three who was absent from the pre-trial hearing last week, will face the panel on December 5 and 6.

Robinson will return for his trial on December 12 and 13; and Smikle will have his trial on December 16 and 17.