Despite pointing to the fact that every situation is different, reigning Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce admits to understanding the pain of the athletes caught up in the recent spate of failed drug tests.

Fraser-Pryce's teammates at the MVP track club Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson, along with sprint queen Veronica Campbell-Brown and American champion Tyson Gay have been among the big names associated with failed drug tests in recent months.

But three other Jamaicans have also tested positive during the period: discus throwers Allison Randall and Traves Smikle along with an unnamed junior athlete.

The majority of athletes are still awaiting the results of requested tests on their B sample.

"Those things happen and it's unfortunate that it happened. I'm in the sport and I do understand that I cannot speak for the athletes who are involved. At the same time, I know it's painful and I know how they must be feeling, because two or three years ago, I took a painkiller," Fraser-Pryce told online publication Flotrack.

Fraser-Pryce, the Jamaican national record holder over 100m, was suspended for six months in October 2010 after returning an adverse analytical finding for the banned substance oxycodone. According to the sprinter the results were due to having ingested a painkiller, given to her by her coach Stephen Francis, for a toothache.

devastating

"It was devastating even though it wasn't a performance enhancer, it was just a painkiller, so I can understand what they're going through. We never know. Each person's circumstances are way different," he added.

Should the B samples of the athletes come back positive for the various substances they will be given a chance to state their cases before a Jamaica Anti-Doping disciplinary panel.

"We don't know what's behind the scenes and of course we wait for due process. Hopefully for the rest of the athletes who are here, we continue to inspire the fans to come out, support and do our best."