With just under three weeks to go before the September 15 deadline for entries for the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, there is still no indication of when or if the Independent Anti Doping Panel will convene in time to decide potential sanctions on Jamaican junior sprinter Briana Williams, who tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).
Athletes must attain qualification standards to compete at the September 27-October 6 championships by September 6, but the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has until September 15 to submit entries to the IAAF. Despite a request from Williams for an expedited hearing, through her representative Dr Emir Crowne, it was still a wait-and-see situation up to late yesterday evening.
Alexander Williams, chairman of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), stated that the athlete’s team has been notified of the results of her ‘B’ sample, and that it will be now be up to the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (IADP) to convene a hearing to address the matter.
“The athlete, as I understand, has been informed of the results from the ‘B’ sample and I’m pretty sure, at this point, that the athlete will be written to, to advise us on their position and for arrangements to be made for a hearing. So that’s the next step,” said Williams when contacted by The Gleaner yesterday.
The 17-year-old sprinter’s place in the World Championships team is in doubt after the B sample confirmed the presence of the banned substance, which was first detected from tests carried out at the National Senior Championships in June, where she placed third in the 100m in 10.94 seconds, which at the time virtually secured her place in the World Championships team.
Crowne, who is representing Williams, said Tuesday that he is seeking to secure an expedited hearing to prove that the 17-year old sprinter was not at fault.
“Our primary position will be that Ms Williams bears no fault in the circumstances, and there should be no sanctions levied against her. That will be our primary position,” said Crowne.
Crowne also noted yesterday, through a media release, that they are determined to protect the minor’s rights throughout the process, and again underlined their calls for an urgent trial.
“In light of the pending selections for the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha, Williams now seek an urgent hearing before the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel to resolve this matter fairly and conclusively,” the release read. “We are mindful that this is a case involving a minor and remain committed to ensuring that the athlete’s rights are fully respected in this process. There will therefore be limited public discussion of the matter until it is resolved.”
However, the JADCO chairman stated that it is not up to the commission to set the timeline for the hearing, but rather the responsibility of the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, which is chaired by Kent Gammon.
“It is not for JADCO to set that timeline. That timeline is set by the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel. JADCO leaves the disciplinary process for the IADP to proceed. So it would be up to the disciplinary panel to do an expedited hearing or not,” Williams said.
Meanwhile, Dr Warren Blake, president of the JAAA, indicated that the association will be observing the situation, but offered that there may still be a chance for Williams to be included in the team provisionally.
“September 6th represents the final qualification date. [The] cut-off date [to submit the] entries is the 15th. Ideally, we would like a decision by the 8th so we can commence the entries. [There is] very little if any room for provisional entry. [However] she can be provisionally selected,” said Blake.
Williams is the World Under-20 double sprint champion and national record holder. Her representatives have identified a contaminated cold and flu medication as the source of the banned diuretic.