Powell, Simpson to face disciplinary panel next year

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- 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 of next year.

Simpson will appear on January 7 and 8 while Powell’s hearing is scheduled for January 14-15.

They are among five Jamaicans who tested positive at the World Championship Trials in June. The two were given trial dates yesterday during a preliminary hearing at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.

Powell and Simpson have tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine.

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

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.