Williams set to miss World Champs - Anti-doping disciplinary hearing scheduled for September 23 start

It is all but guaranteed that Briana Williams will not be competing at the 2019 IAAF World Championships.

The young Jamaican sprinter, it was determined, will face the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (IADP) on September 23, 24, and 25 after yesterday’s preliminary hearing at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

Although a request was made from Williams for an expedited hearing through her representative Dr Emir Crowne in August, it is expected that the athlete will not make the team as the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) is set to announce the full squad to Doha today, with Sunday being the deadline to submit entries to the IAAF.

Williams tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), which was first detected at the National Senior Championships in June, where she placed third in the 100m in 10.94 seconds. Her performance at the time confirmed her place in the World Championships team.

Chairman of the IADP Kent Gammon was present in the preliminary hearing along with panel members Dr Marjorie Vassell and Denise Forrest. The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission will be represented by Ian Wilkinson, QC.

When asked if the selected dates for the hearing would rule Williams out of the championships, Gammon stated that his job was not to comment on such matters but to assess the particular details of the case.

“My job, along with Dr Vassell, is to make our findings based on the adverse findings brought to our attention, and we can’t comment on any other matter,” he stated.

“At that time, we will then take the evidence, and we will then make our determination accordingly,” said Gammon.

Gammon stated that the process in the preliminary hearing went well and that Williams, through her representative, made the decision to have the hearing.

“We had the preliminary hearing [to determine] what the athlete wanted to do. She has the opportunity and/or the right to waive a hearing or have a hearing. She chose to have a hearing. We wouldn’t have known that until now. We are having the hearing on the 23rd (of September), and we are proceeding accordingly. We will make our findings in due course based on the evidence,” he stated.

Williams’ representatives identified a contaminated cold-and-flu medicine as the source of the banned diuretic and maintain their position that she bears no blame in the positive finding.

– D.W.