Asafa Powell faces ban after drug-test B sample proves positive

Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson learn their fate yesterday (Reuters)

Asafa Powell and four other Jamaican athletes who failed drugs tests earlier this year have each returned adverse analytical findings in their B samples, the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission revealed last night.

The former 100 metres world-record holder Powell tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine at the national trials in June. Sherone Simpson, a three-time Olympic medallist and a member of Powell’s MVP training group, tested positive for the same stimulant.

Discus throwers Allison Randall and Travis Smikle and a junior athlete also tested positive for prohibited substances at the June trials. All five athletes’ B samples were tested at a facility in Canada. The findings will now go before an independent body for further consideration prior to disciplinary hearings.

On the track last night, world and Olympic champion Usain Bolt powered away late in the race to win the 100m in 9.8sec at the season-closing Diamond League meeting in Brussels. Bolt, who won 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay golds at last month’s World Championships, was one of several Moscow medallists in action.

After a poor start, the Jamaican’s acceleration over the second half of the race was again the difference in a race featuring six of the finalists from Moscow. American Michael Rodgers was second in his season’s best of 9.90sec and Jamaica’s world bronze medallist Nesta Carter was third. Justin Gatlin, second to Bolt in Moscow, finished fourth. Britain’s James Dasaolu finished eighth in 10.15sec.

“It wasn’t a perfect season, wasn’t the best season of my career,” said Bolt, who has struggled with a hamstring injury. “But the main thing is, I finished on top and dominated.”

His compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has been the dominant women’s sprinter this year and the world and Olympic champion set a meeting record of 10.72sec as clear winner of her 100m event.

There were mixed fortunes for the Britons in action with world champion Christine Ohuruogu, a disappointing fifth in the 400m while Martyn Rooney won the men’s race in a photo finish.

Ohuruogu said: “I thought it would be nice to keep the momentum going and I knew I had some good runs still in me. But it’s mentally tough and a bit harder to get back up after what has happened. I did want to come out and run fast, but I wasn’t quite sharp enough.”