On Sunday, the news broke out that Tyson Gay- the joint-second fastest man ever over 100m- was told by the US Anti-Doping Agency on Friday that his ‘A’ sample from an out-of-competition test in May was positive.
Meanwhile, Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell- the all-time fourth quickest with a time of 9.72secs- announced that he tested positive for a banned stimulant at June’s Jamaican Championship alongside fellow Jamaican athlete Sherone Simpson.
Both Gay and Powell tested positive for oxilofrine which has been said to be an ingredient in some dietary supplements but a banned substance in sport.
Powell and Simpson’s doping positives comes a month after Jamaican Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown tested positive for a banned diuretic.
Powell was the last man to hold the individual 100m record before compatriot Usain Bolt smashed it in 2008.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic relay gold medalist, Powell has run 9.88secs this year for the 100m, but failed to make the Jamaican team for August’s World Championships in Moscow, Russia.
“I want to be clear in saying to my family, friends and, most of all my fans worldwide that I have never knowingly or willfully taken any supplements or substances that break any rules,” Powell said in a statement.
“I am not now- nor have I ever been- a cheat.”
Gay, who ran the fastest 100m time of the 2013 athletic season in June, said he was notified by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on Friday that his ‘A’ sample from an out-of-competition test in May has tested positive.
“I don’t have a sabotage story… I basically put my trust in someone and was let down,” said the 2007 100m world champion.
“I made a mistake. I am pulling out of Monaco (this week Diamond League meeting) and the World Championships.”
USADA responded to Gay’s disclosure by issuing a press release that read:
“In response to Mr. Gay’s statements, USADA appreciates his approach to handling this situation and his choice to voluntarily remove himself from competition while the full facts surrounding his test are evaluated.
“The ‘B’ sample will be processed shortly, and as in all cases all athletes are innocent unless or until proven otherwise through the established legal process, and any attempt to sensationalise or speculate is a disservice to due process, fair play, and to those who love clean sport.”
Gay has hit an impressive form since returning back to the track after a one-year hiatus due to hip surgery.
He won the 100m at the Jamaica invitational athletics meeting in May with a time of 9.86secs, before clocking 9.75secs- the fastest time of 2013- to win the US World Championships trials in June.
At the Lousanne Diamond League meeting, he won the 100m in 9.79secs clocking the three fastest times of 2013.
