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Williams hearing moving smoothly

Published:Tuesday | September 24, 2019 | 12:31 AMDaniel Wheeler/Gleaner Writer
Dr Emir Crowne, legal representative for Briana Williams, at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in Kingston yesterday.
Dr Emir Crowne, legal representative for Briana Williams, at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in Kingston yesterday.

Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel chairman Kent Gammon says that proceedings went smoothly on day one of the three-day hearing into a positive test returned in June by national sprinter Briana Williams. The hearing is being held at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in Kingston.

At the conclusion of the proceedings yesterday, Gammon said that they had received the majority of the evidence by both parties – the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) which is represented by Ian Wilkinson, and Dr Emir Crowne, who is appearing for Williams.

“Today went well. We have had most of the evidence in. Tomorrow morning, we’ll come in and take the final part of the hearing,” he said.

BANNED DIURETIC

The three-day hearing, which is scheduled to conclude tomorrow, is aiming to determine whether the 17-year-old national junior 100m record holder is at fault following her positive test for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. Williams was present at the hearing and gave her testimony on the circumstances that lead to the positive finding. Her representatives have named a cold-and-flu medicine which contained traces of the banned diuretic as the cause.

The positive test was confirmed at the National Senior Championships in June, where she ran 10.94 seconds to finish third in the women’s 100m final. Earlier this month, she was provisionally added to the team for the IAAF World Championships, and she faces a tight window to fly to Doha in time for the start of the competition this weekend if she is indeed cleared. Williams faces a four-year ban from competition if she is found guilty.

Gammon stated that an expert is expected to give additional information relating to the matter before the panel confers and decides on a ruling. When asked if the hearing could be decided today, he was non-committal.

“Not sure. Don’t want to make a pronouncement right now, but tomorrow (today), we’ll know,” he said.

Wilkinson stated that JADCO was pleased with the proceedings so far, but Crowne declined to comment. The hearing resumes at 11 a.m. today.