adminLONDON. — Usain Bolt is suffering from Jamaica’s much-criticised drugs policy, according to United States Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart.Bolt’s fellow Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown, the two-time Olympic 200 metres champion tested positive for the specified substance hydrochlorothiazide last May, but she argued the urine sample collected had been compromised and saw a two-year ban overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Tygart said it was wrong that Bolt, the world record-holder at both the 100 and 200m and a multiple Olympic champion, was constantly having to protest his innocence of drug-taking because of doubts over the reliability of Jamaica’s anti-doping programme.
“Absolutely it lets him down,” Tygart, speaking at the Tackling Doping in Sport conference at London’s Wembley Stadium, last Thursday.
“It’s really unfair to question athletes’ performances just because of an inspiration (unsubstantiated) story or whatever it may be, there’s a legal process for that. “That said, it happens unfortunately, and I think it’s really unfair to those athletes that it does happen.”
Bolt’s 9.58 seconds world-record time over 100 metres and his 19.19s 200m landmark have made him one of the most scrutinised athletes of all time.
And while Bolt has never tested positive for a banned substance, Tygart said the sprinter’s position would be bolstered by a more robust anti-doping regime in his native Jamaica.sparent action. — AFP.
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