The United States’ Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has offered to assist Jamaica’s anti-doping team, which has been caught-up in a spate of gross misconduct in recent times.
The USADA’s chief executive Travis Tygart said they feel the Island’s athletes have been “let down”, hence; talks of a possible partnership with Jamaica had already been initiated.
Sprinter Asafa Powell and Sherrone Simpsons headlined six of Jamaica’s athletes to have tested positive this year and the country has already been accused of “losing its way” on drug testing for athletes.
President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), John Fahey, earlier this week had suggested for the Jamaica Anti-Doping Agency (Jadco), which has been facing turbulent times after some revelations of gross misconduct ahead of the 2012 London Olympics, to be mentored by a more successful agency.
Former Jadco executive director Renee Anne Shirley raised concerns when she said the agency had conducted only one out-of-competition test in the six months leading up to the London Games.
Her comments resulted in Wada visiting the country at the end of October to assess its doping policies.
Along with Powell, twice 200m Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown and London 2012 4x100m relay silver medallist Sherone Simpson were left out of Jamaica’s team for the World Championships in August after failed drugs tests.
“Jamaican athletes deserves a robust anti-doping programme,” said Tygart.
“Right now the athletes in Jamaica are being let down by their organisation.
“Having one test out of competition prior to the London Olympic Games, if what is being reported is accurate is unacceptable. No blood test, no human growth hormone test- that’s an injustice to the fairness of the sport and tremendously letting down those athletes.
“A firm committed play to moving forward is what we’re all after.
“There have been discussions. We’ve talked to Wada. we’ve met with the Jamaican officials.
“We’ll sort through whether there’s a role for us to play. We’re happy to help some other programmes that need some assistance.”
