Secrecy Continues...

[zoser]

Secrecy continues to cloud Jamaica’s drugs findings

Posted By admin On July 29, 2009 @ 1:11 pm In News | 1 Comment

By Denise Dixon, TrackAlerts.com

Kingston – There is still no confirmed news out of an eagerly anticipated hearing to decide the fate of five Jamaican athletes.

The eagerly awaited hearing to be conducted by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) is being made a big secret after leaks out of Jamaica led to the names of the five athletes said to be implicated was first published by an Italian newspaper.

showimg [1]It was reported the meeting was scheduled for Wednesday (July 29), but when contacted, Executive Director of the JADCO, Dr. Patrece Charles-Freeman, said: “What I can tell you it’s not today", but quizzed further to find out it would be later this week, "I can not say when, all I can say it’s not today".

Asked if the B samples, which the athletes requested according to TrackAlerts.com sources, are back, Dr Charles-Freeman, replied: "I can not tell you that".

However, according to TrackAlerts.com sources, the athletes were informed not to say when is the hearing.

Depending on the outcome the athletes who are all members of Jamaica’s team to the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany might be removed.

Former national 400m champion Lansford Spence and Sherri-Ann Brooks, third in the men’s 400m and women’s 100m respectively, are the only two athletes confirmed by TrackAlerts.com who are currently in the island.

TrackAlerts.com last week confirmed that Brooks through her manager, Spence through his coach, and Allodin Forthergill himself have all received notification about the positive tests.

Track & fields local governing body the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) now awaits the ruling before Friday’s deadline date for final entry to the IAAF.

Last Thursday when news broke of the positive tests, JADCO, the organization, who is responsible for the procedures, labelled the leak as rumors.

"I cannot give any statement where that is concerned or ease anyone’s mind from this rumor,” Dr. Charles-Freeman was quoted as saying.

Dr. Herb Elliott a member of JADCO, at the time, said he heard of the rumor and added, “We are waiting to get some information and we are waiting on the facts”.

However, Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s intervention led to an emergency meeting with JADCO and minutes after a release came to say: “that there are five adverse analytical findings (AAF) from the National Championships, June 26-28".

[sprint logic]

I have several problems/issues with the whole drug testing procedure as currently set up. But one of the biggest is the lack of transparency throughout the process.

The fact that no one ever wants to say anything gives the constant "perception" that something is being done behind the scenes that shouldn't be done.

[balance]

Regardless of what happens at the Jamaican trials don't they still have to answer to WADA and the IAAF?

[zoser]

And perception is the constant hobgoblin of track. I do not think it should be a mystery at this point but we continually see solutions to all things athlete related, i.e. whereabouts, false starts, etc

[sprint logic]

We see solutions, but typically not very good solutions!

The fact that there is no transparency is a bit more than perception. There will be whispers of cut deals if this is not handled properly. And as it sits it appears that that may end up being the case.

[zoser]

Balance yes they have to answer to WADA and the IAAF and here is where I get on my soap box. This structure has always existed yet the NGBs take ALL the heat and blame and corruption charges.

SL I agree and you are right. We have seen the substance go from mystery to a name and now back to a mystery. And all of a sudden the once boisterous Jamaicans have clammed up. Now I am not suspicious as much as I am amused by the necessity that was once ridiculed and rundown when it was perceived to be a US problem. Now we are seeing discretion and due process work elsewhere. Let's see what happens after Thursday since that is the day reportedly they will have their hearings.

The only misstep I have seen so far is not releasing what the substance is.

[sprint logic]

Yes, in the past we have seen much mudslinging, name calling, and accusations from the Jamaicans when it has been others in the cross hairs. So I am watching and waiting to see how they deal with their own.

Moreso I am watching those truly in charge - WADA and the IAAF - to see how they deal with this situation, since in many ways it is one of their own making.

[Seabiscuit]

www.trackalerts.com/?p=2315

UPDATED: Brooks freed of doping charges
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KINGSTON – Commonwealth Games 100m champion, Sheri-Ann Brooks, has been freed of doping changes, according to Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) disciplinary panel chairman Kent Gammon.

Brooks, one of five Jamaicans athletes who returned positive test from Jamaica’s National Championships in June, was the only one who met with JADCO disciplinary committee today.

Gammon, chairman of JADCO disciplinary panel, explained their findings. "We heard the matter in respect to Sheri-Ann Brooks and decided that based on an irregularity with the testing of the B sample, we could not conclusively beyond a comfortable doubt determine the positive finding of the A sample."

However, the story took a twist as TrackAlerts.com was reliable informed that JADCO is appealing its own disciplinary panel hearing.
But when contacted, Executive Director of JADCO Dr. Patrece Charles-Freeman, said: "The hearings have not yet been concluded."

"As soon as the matter is been concluded, which will be very soon, we will give a detail press release," Dr. Charles-Freeman added.

The hearing for the other five athletes, Marvin Anderson, Yohan Blake, Allodin Fothergill and Lansford Spence will be heard on Friday.

[sprint logic]

ok .. So apparently she was cleared because of procedural issues with testing the B sample .. Par for the course for a country that wasn't even testing prior to this year !! Incredible .. So I can understand why JADCO is appealing .. Credibility is at stake here .. And so far with everything that has gone on with this case, credibility is in question ..

[zoser]

The dance is going as expected. The only thing missing is the screams from the peanut gallery about cover ups and life time bans and conspiracies. Now it is all justice and due process. What is the cliche? The shoe is on the other foot now!

[Seabiscuit]

A former JAAA member (now IAFF) is involved and has some definite skin in the game (i.e., credibility). My sense from reading is that this individual understands the potential loss of credibility for Jamaica AND Racers TC...and would prefer to avoid it by NOT sending POS athletes to Beijing.

[canmak60]

As a Jamaican and more importantly as an advocate for integrity in the sport (and also the appearance of integrity), I must say that I am very upset and disturbed about the handling by my countrymen (the track and field governing body) of this matter.

We were very upset when doubts were cast on our performance in Beijing, using words like "American jealousy" etc. Based on this, one would have expected that the Jamaican authorities would have taken the extra mile to be very transparent and open in this matter. Such has not been case. Disappointed I am; surprised I am not! Incompetence has been the hallmark of the Jamaica track and field administrative body for many years. Pressure should be made to bear on these people so that they can clean up their act.

[sprint logic]

Well, I have been embarrassed by several drug matters here in the States .. As such I am also disappointed in what has happened in Jamaica because they were the primary individuals globally pointing fingers at our athletes, the system, alleged dopers that weren't caught, cover ups, etc !!

I said then, and I'll say now, that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones - because they have had some of the most high profile, huge drops in performance sprinters, on the planet over the last half decade ..

Having said all that, you are absolutely correct, they should be dealing with this in a manner that is above reproach given all they have had to say about others .. Not to mention the general attitude of "purity" that is put out regarding Jamaican athletes .. "our people would never do anything like that", "we have great water and diets", "its all about the yellow yam", et al ..