Former 100-meter world record-holder Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson were among five Jamaican athletes whose “B” samples have tested positive for doping, the Jamaican Gleaner reported Friday.
The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) told the newspaper that it has received laboratory results that confirm the banned performance-enhancing substances found in “A” samples for the five at the Jamaican championships in June.
JADCO said the five athletes have acknowledged receipt of letters notifying them of the positive “B” samples and that the findings have been passed along to the Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel to set up hearings.
In July, Powell admitted he had failed a drugs test, a result that kept him from competing at last month’s IAAF World Championships in Moscow, where countryman Usain Bolt captured the 100m and 200m crowns.
While Powell confirmed “adverse findings” in a Twitter posting, saying the banned stimulant oxilofrine was found, but denied he had knowingly taken any illegal performance-enhancing drugs.
“I am not now nor have I ever been a cheat,” Powell tweeted.
Powell said he planned his own investigation to uncover how the banned substance got into his system.
Simpson, a silver medallist in the women’s 100m at the 2008 Olympics, had earlier told the Gleaner that she might have tested positive for something contained in a food supplement.
“My team and I will try to do everything we can to get this issue dealt with as best as we can,” Simpson told the Gleaner.
Powell among five Jamaican 'B' positives
