WADA satisfied with JADCO sanctions - World body will not pursue further action against Jamaicans

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

Come December 14 when the Jamaican athletes who returned adverse findings at the National Track and Field Championships in June complete their three-month bans, they will be free and clear to run, as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has decided not to pursue the matter any further.

In October, WADA requested the case files of the athletes as it sought to determine if it was to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

They were to assess the sanctioning process followed by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), after the completion of the disciplinary process.

The ban took effect on September 14. Yesterday, in an email, the anti-doping agency said they were satisfied that the sanctioning process was sound.

"After carefully reviewing the circumstances of the cases and the reasons for the decisions of the Jamaican authorities, WADA has decided to not exercise its independent right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport," the statement said.

Dr Patrece Charles Freeman, executive director of the JADCO, declined to comment on WADA's statement.

She said she had not yet received any communication from the world anti-doping agency and was therefore not able to speak on the matter.

Yohan Blake, Marvin Anderson, Allodin Fothergill and Lansford Spence were suspended after each returned an adverse analytical finding from samples taken during the National Championships to select Jamaica's team to the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin.

Sheri-Ann Brooks also returned a positive test, but her case was thrown out because her B sample was tested without her knowledge.