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File photo of anti-doping tests. AP Photo/Sang Ta
anti-doping

Anti-doping team to investigate Jamaica despite ‘ludicrous’ delay attempts

Athletes, including Usain Bolt, could be banned from competition if Jamaica is found to be non-compliant.

A WORLD ANTI-Doping Agency team is slated to visit Jamaica on Monday amid reports the country’s athletes could face an Olympic ban over the handling of recent drug scandals.

Doctor Herbert Elliott, chairman of the board of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), confirmed the planned two-day visit by a three-strong WADA team for a special audit, according to a local radio station report on Tuesday.

Elliott was quoted as saying “WADA will be sending three officers to Jamaica next Monday and Tuesday [October 28 and 29]” but did not say who the officers from WADA would be.

The Daily Telegraph reported that WADA president John Fahey had dismissed as “farcical” attempts by JADCO to put off an audit until next year.

Fahey indicated that Jamaica could be found to be non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code.

That would mean its athletes, including sprint superstar Usain Bolt, could be barred from major international competitions until the situation is resolved — even those who, like Bolt, have never failed a drugs test.

“The current position is unacceptable to WADA and we’re not going to take it lying down,” Fahey told the newspaper.

- © AFP, 2013

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