Leighton Levy, Star Writer

Mullings

An emerging sprinter that was expecting to represent Jamaica at the IAAF World Athletic Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in three weeks' time has reportedly returned an adverse analytical finding.

The result, which revealed a masking agent, was derived from a test administered at the national track and field championships held between June 23 and 26. In sports, a masking agent is used to hide or prevent detection of a banned substance or illegal drug like anabolic steroids or stimulants. The news comes just over a week before the team was set to depart for a one-week camp in Gyeonasan, Korea, next week Thursday. The team is to be named next week.

Word is that the United States-based athlete, who returned this latest adverse finding was failing a test for the second time, which could effectively mean the end of his international career considering that, if found to be culpable could be suspended for a minimum of four years.

disciplinary hearing

The athlete has reportedly been notified and will now have to face a disciplinary hearing effectively ruling him out of the championships where he was a medal contender in two individual events. President of the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Authority (JAAA) was unable to comment on the veracity of the reports received by Star Sports as he says he has received no official notification. Executive Director of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission, Dr Patrece Charles Freeman, also declined to comment on the matter.

In all doping cases the athlete has the right to a hearing of their case before the relevant disciplinary body or tribunal. The athlete must confirm in writing within 14 days of notification that they would like a hearing, otherwise, it is assumed that the athlete accepts that a violation has occurred.

legal counsel

The hearing before a tribunal must be held within two months from the date of notification to the athlete. The athlete has the right to legal counsel and to call witnesses and the decision of the tribunal will be sent to the IAAF. If the IAAF does not agree with the sanction the case will be reviewed by the IAAF Doping Review Board, which decides whether it appeals to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS); if so, it may re-impose suspension. The athlete also has a right of appeal to CAS.

The news is a blow to a Jamaican team that was rocked by scandal shortly before the last IAAF World Championships that were held in Berlin, Germany, in 2009. Back then, five athletes tested positive for a stimulant at the National Championships that were held at the National Stadium. The athletes were served with three-month suspensions and allowed to resume their careers.

Then last year World and Olympic 100-metre champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price tested positive for the painkiller oxycodone and was banned for six months. Her ban ended in January this year.