No Carter fallout - Blake

President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Dr Warren Blake is adamant that yesterday's decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to strip Jamaica of its 2008 Beijing Olympics 4x100m gold medal will not have any negative impact on the island's reputation.

The IOC yesterday ruled that first leg sprinter Nesta Carter, who retroactively tested positive for the banned substance methylhexaneamine at the 2008 Beijing Games, has been disqualified from the 4x100m following last year's Disciplinary Commission hearing in Lausanne on October 16.

This means that Jamaica's team, which was completed by Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and Michael Frater, was also disqualified with the JOA ordered to secure and return the medals from the athletes.

ANOTHER STAIN

Jamaica has spent its fair share of time under the anti-doping microscope, and yesterday's ruling can be seen as another stain on the country's athletics legacy.

However, Blake, who yesterday met with Carter along with Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) president Mike Fennell, JOA Secretary General Christopher Samuda and MVP Track Club president Bruce James is not expecting any fallouts from Carter's disqualification and Jamaica losing its medal.

"This is something that happened from 2008, so I don't think it will have an effect on Jamaica's reputation going forward. We have done everything that was asked of us in sorting out the issues that they claimed was at JADCO," Blake told The Gleaner yesterday before admitting that he was not expecting the IOC's eventual decision.

"I have learnt to expect everything," Blake began. "I did not rule out that he would be found guilty, but my personal opinion is that I am surprised that they chose that route."

PROMOTED GOLD MEDALLIST

Trinidad and Tobago has been promoted to gold medal winners in the 4x100m from the 2008 Games, with the silver being assigned to Japan and the bronze now going to Brazil.

Blake says he is awaiting the athlete's decision with Carter and his legal team expected to make a determination on whether or not there is sufficient basis to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports within a stipulated 21-day deadline.

"Having now seen the ruling, the athlete has the right to appeal, and we will await the decision of the athlete as to what he will be doing," Blake noted. "The athlete will be having discussions with his legal counsel and will decide on his next move."