Powell among Jamaican athletes tested positive

Kingston (Jamaica), July 15 (IANS/CMC)

Asafa Powell of Jamaica speaks to the media during the 2013 Stawell Gift carnival at Central Park on April 1, 2013 in Stawell, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) has confirmed that five Jamaican athletes, including Asafa Powell, have tested positive for banned substances.

JADCO’s chairman Herb Elliott said he has received reports of adverse analytical findings from ‘A’ samples for the athletes but declined to disclose further information, reports CMC.

“The process of the result management has commenced in accordance with the JADCO Anti-doping rules,” Elliott told RJR Sports.

“We cannot disclose any further information until the athletes have responded to notification of the ‘A’ sample,” he added.

However, reports stated that former world record holder Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson are among the five athletes who were found positive in the tests conducted at the Jamaica National Track and Field Championships in Kingston, June 20-23.

It’s another blow to track and field on the island, which also boasts the 100m world record holder Usain Bolt, after seven-time Olympic medallist and reigning World 200m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown failed a test in May and may serve a six-month ban.

The news came shortly after American 100m record holder Tyson Gay confirmed a positive test for a banned substance and his withdrawal from the IAAF World Championships in Moscow next month.