JOIN USDope Story: Gay, Powell among six to fail tests
Former world champion Tyson Gay of the United States and former world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica have failed drug tests, delivering a stunning blow to athletics.
While Gay announced in the United States that he had failed an out-of-competition test conducted in May, Powell was among the five Jamaicans who tested positive during their national championships. The list included London Olympics 4x100M relay silver medallist Sherone Simpson.
"I will confirm that a sample I gave at the National Trials in June earlier this year has returned "adverse findings", Powell said in a statement. "The substance oxilophrine (methylsynephrine) was found, which is considered by the authorities to be a banned stimulant," the 30-year-old sprinter added.
"I want to be clear in saying to my family, friends, and most of all my fans worldwide that I have never knowingly or wilfully taken any supplements or substances that break any rules. I am not now, nor have I ever been a cheat."
Powell, who has never won an individual global sprint title, held the 100 world record between 2005 and 2008 when his then-best of 9.74 seconds was broken by current record holder and fellow-Jamaican Usain Bolt.
He later improved his best to 9.72. The 28-year-old Simpson said she also tested positive for the stimulant oxilophrine.
Gay, who had the year's fastest 100 metres time of 9.75 seconds, told two reporters in a telephone conference call he was notified by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on Friday that his A sample from an out-of-competition test on May 16 had returned a positive.
"I don't have a sabotage story. I don't have lies...I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down," said Gay, who added he had never knowingly taken a performance-enhancing drug.
"I made a mistake," added the 30-year-old sprinter from his training base in Amsterdam. "I am pulling out of Monaco (Diamond League meeting on Friday) and the World Championships."
Gay, the world 100 and 200 champion in 2007, said he could not divulge the substance or how the positive occurred.
"I am not allowed to talk about those things right now. I know exactly what went on, but I can't discuss it right now," he added.
"I hope I am able to run again," Gay said. "But I will take whatever punishment I get like a man."
Healthy after years of injury, Gay, the joint second-fastest man in history over 100 metres, had been considered a strong challenger for Jamaican world record holder Usain Bolt at the Aug 10-18 World Championships after winning the American trials in blazing times.
He had put down the year's three fastest 100 times, topped by his 9.75 at last month's US meeting. Only Bolt has run faster than Gay's 19.74 seconds in the 200 this year.
"It has been tough for me," said the soft-spoken Gay. "I have always been a drug-free athlete."
Following his 2007 victories, Gay appeared set to win his first Olympic individual gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games but the emergence of Bolt and injuries ended that chance. In 2009, he ran an American record 9.69 seconds, at the time the second fastest ever, but was never fully healthy at ensuing Olympic and world championships.
He finished a heart-breaking fourth at the 2012 London Olympics but won a silver medal in the 4x100 metres relay. USA Track & Field said in a statement: "As we approach the world championships, we will remain focused on the competition at hand and winning the right way."
Agencies