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Usain Bolt says Tyson Gay’s drug ban sends ‘bad message to sport’ Usain Bolt says Tyson Gay’s drug ban sends ‘bad message to sport’
(about 1 hour later)
Usain Bolt believes anti-doping officials have sent a “bad message to the sport” after the US sprinter Tyson Gay received only a one-year ban following a positive test for an anabolic steroid.Usain Bolt believes anti-doping officials have sent a “bad message to the sport” after the US sprinter Tyson Gay received only a one-year ban following a positive test for an anabolic steroid.
“I’m not really happy with the situation and with how it was done,” Bolt said. “I think for someone like Asafa (Powell) to get a ban of 18 months for that (stimulant oxilofrine) and then Tyson Gay get just one year because of cooperating, I think it is sending a bad message into the sport that you can do it (dope) but if you cooperate with us, we’ll reduce the sentence.” “I’m not really happy with the situation and with how it was done,” Bolt said. “I think for someone like Asafa (Powell) to get a ban of 18 months for that (stimulant oxilofrine) and then Tyson Gay get just one year because of cooperating, I think it is sending a bad message into the sport that you can do it (dope) but, if you cooperate with us, we’ll reduce the sentence.”
The sanction, handed to Gay by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada), ended in June this year.The sanction, handed to Gay by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada), ended in June this year.
Gay, who returned to competition on 3 July and ran 9.93 in the 100 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting, is the world’s joint second fastest man along with Yohan Blake (9.69).Gay, who returned to competition on 3 July and ran 9.93 in the 100 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting, is the world’s joint second fastest man along with Yohan Blake (9.69).
Both the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) and track and field’s world governing body, the IAAF, have accepted the controversial ban.Both the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) and track and field’s world governing body, the IAAF, have accepted the controversial ban.
“I don’t think that’s the right way to go because you are pretty much telling people that this is a way out, it’s a way of beating the system, so personally, I don’t think the IAAF dealt with that very well,” Bolt said.“I don’t think that’s the right way to go because you are pretty much telling people that this is a way out, it’s a way of beating the system, so personally, I don’t think the IAAF dealt with that very well,” Bolt said.
Wada said in early June that it was satisfied with the decision, while later that month, the IAAF said that it would not appeal Gay’s ban. Wada said in early June that it was satisfied with the decision while later that month the IAAF said that it would not appeal Gay’s ban.
“After careful review of the full file provided by Usada, the IAAF has decided that the one-year sanction applied in the case of Tyson Gay was appropriate under the circumstances and in accordance with IAAF Rules,” it said in a statement. “After careful review of the full file provided by Usada, the IAAF has decided that the one-year sanction applied in the case of Tyson Gay was appropriate under the circumstances and in accordance with IAAF Rules,” it said.
Athletes normally receive two-year bans for their first major doping offence, but under anti-doping rules the sanction can be reduced for substantial cooperation. Athletes normally receive two-year bans for their first major doping offence but under anti-doping rules the sanction can be reduced for substantial cooperation.
Usada had said Gay was eligible for such a reduction because he offered what it termed “substantial assistance” in his case.Usada had said Gay was eligible for such a reduction because he offered what it termed “substantial assistance” in his case.
Jamaica’s double Olympic sprint silver medallist Yohan Blake has been ruled out for the rest of the 2014 season after undergoing surgery on an injured hamstring, coach Glen Mills said on Tuesday. Blake, Jamaica’s double Olympic sprint silver medallist, has been ruled out for the rest of the 2014 season after undergoing surgery on an injured hamstring, his coach Glen Mills said on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old sustained the injury in the 100 metres at the Glasgow Grand Prix on 11 July.“Right now he’s on crutches, he had to have an operation a couple of days ago,” Mills said. The 24-year-old sustained the injury in the 100 metres at the Glasgow Grand Prix on 11 July.“Right now he’s on crutches. He had to have an operation a couple of days ago,” Mills said.
“The injury was quite severe and the original prognosis was misdiagnosed and he went Germany and when they had a good look, they realised that it was more serious and required surgery, so he’ll be out for quite a long time.“ “The injury was quite severe and the original prognosis was misdiagnosed. He went to Germany and, when they had a good look, they realised it was more serious and required surgery. So he’ll be out for quite a long time.”