LONDON, CMC – Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt is disappointed to hear that five Jamaican athletes have tested positive for a prohibited substance.
The Jamaican sprint star said the revelation was another setback which the sport did not need at this time.
“Definitely, it’s sad to know there are still drugs [in the sport], but for me it doesn’t really matter, as long as I’m clean I’m just going forward,” said Bolt, after winning the 100 metres at the London Grand Prix on Friday.
“It’s sad for the sport because the sport was getting on so well, I was trying to bring it back. This is probably a step backwards because people start questioning everybody, especially from Jamaica.”
He added: “For me, it doesn’t matter because I will be going out there, day after day, doing my best. I get tested all the time. It shows that people get tested and they get caught if they are on drugs. Sometimes you move forward and you take one step back. It’s hard, but I’m trying my best to push the sport forward. I think after a while, people will notice that you can’t get away with it and they’ll stop, but for now I guess we can’t do anything about it.”
Gazzetta dello Sport, an Italian newspaper, named the five Jamaican athletes that have failed recent drug tests yesterday.
They identified sprinters Yohan Blake, the 19-year-old training partner of Bolt, Marvin Anderson, and Commonwealth Games 100 metres champion Sherry-Ann Brooks, as well as quarter-milers Allodin Fothergill and Lansford Spence as the five.
“It’s their bad luck, it’s not for me to worry about, it doesn’t affect me one bit,” said former 100 metres World record-holder Asafa Powell. “People might be saying bad stuff now, but it doesn’t really bother me.”
a Amateur Athletic Association, nor the International Association of Athletics Federations have officially disclosed the names of the athletes.
“You never want anybody from your country or your team to be tested positive,” sprinter Aleem Bailey told BBC Sport.
“Hard work takes you a long way and if somebody cheats they deserve to be punished. But hopefully it’s not anything serious and it’s a mishap. Hopefully it can be sorted out.
“We don’t want any cheaters in the system. It hurts when it’s someone from your country.”
The story has been headline news in the island, and Prime Minister Bruce Golding met on Friday with Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission and top athletics officials to discuss the crisis.
Media reports indicate the Prime Minister was demanding answers over the embarrassing revelations.
