Boldon relieved but Briana dropped - Jonielle Smith picked to run women’s 100m in Doha
Published:Friday | September 27, 2019 | 12:21 AMAndrÈ Lowe/Sports Editor
DOHA, Qatar:
The Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel’s (IADP) decision to issue a public warning with no period of ineligibility in their ruling on Briana Williams’ anti-doping disciplinary hearing, has brought relief for the youngster and her coach, Ato Boldon.
However, Williams, who was provisionally selected to run the women’s 100 metres will not compete in the event at the IAAF World Championships in Doha. Jamaican officials have picked reserve Jonielle Smith, who joins Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson in the event.
The news came following a meeting of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) top brass here. Teams have to submit athletes at least 24 hours before their event. The heats of the women’s 100m get under way tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. (8:30 a.m. Ja time).Boldon had hoped to have the young sprinter cleared in time to compete in Doha in the 100m and 4x100m relay.
The IADP, yesterday, handed down the Williams decision following a two-day hearing, which took place on Monday and Tuesday at Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa, after the 17-year-old sprinter tested positive for the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide at the National Senior Championships in June, where she finished third.
While the IAAF Anti-Doping Code clearly states that an athlete’s result at the competition in question is lost once there is a doping violation, Boldon, who spoke to The Gleaner before the athlete was replaced for the event, said that he was confident that she would get the green light to compete.
“I am happy that the panel looked at the evidence properly. They considered not only the scientific evidence that was in front of them, but also the expert testimony that was in front of them because there was a lot of that as well. So I am happy that the decision was favourable for Briana,” Boldon told The Gleaner yesterday.
“We don’t anticipate any appeals by anybody. It’s possible that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) may appeal, but I have been told by the legal counsel that this is unlikely, so if this is the case, she will get on the plane as long as the JAAA don’t have any issue with the decision,” Boldon added. “… There is language in the WADA Code where if contamination is proven, there is precedence for the athlete to be exonerated.”
Checks with the WADA and Jamaica Anti-Doping Codes did not reveal any clause that speaks to this.
Article 10.5.1.2 in both the WADA and the JADCO Code specifies:
“In cases where the Athlete or other Person can establish No Significant Fault or Negligence and that the detected Prohibited Substance came from a Contaminated Product, then the period of Ineligibility shall be, at a minimum, a reprimand and no period of Ineligibility, and at a maximum, two years Ineligibility, depending on the Athlete’s or other Person’s degree of Fault.”
Meanwhile, Boldon, who is already in Doha for the World Championships, shared the challenges faced by Williams and underlined his belief that his young charge would grow from the experience.
“I was relieved for Briana. Nobody understands how difficult this was at 17 years old. To have people casting aspersions on your character and doubting your ability and talent is not something I would wish on my worst enemy, and in terms of moving forward, I think there will be a point, maybe very soon, where I will be able to look back and say that that thing that she went through in 2019 made her even more tough. Briana is already very tough, but I think this has just made her tough in a way that she can use a lot of this going forward,” Boldon noted.
“There are a lot of people who took shots at Briana while she was down, so I think in the long term, we may realise that this was something that was unfortunate, but maybe it will be beneficial for her,” added Boldon.
In its ruling, the IADP noted that it was established that the athlete had no significant fault or negligence as she was given tablets by her guardian and had no intention to cheat and recommended that Williams undergo additional anti-doping education.
The panel also commented that the circumstances of the case also underline the importance of an anti-doping education by guardians of international athletes who are minors.