FRANKFURT, (Reuters) – Adidas AG has suspended its contract with Tyson Gay after the former double world sprint champion failed an out-of-competition dope test, the German sportswear company said yesterday.
“We are shocked by these recent allegations, and even if we presume his innocence until proven otherwise, our contract with Tyson is currently suspended,” an Adidas spokesman said.
Adidas’ agreements with athletes give it the right to terminate the contract “if the athlete is found guilty of the possession or use of drugs or any other prohibited substance by the relevant governing sports body having jurisdiction over the athlete.”
Gay, who has been on Adidas’ books since 2005, had said on Sunday he had tested positive for a substance he could not identify and that he was pulling out of next month’s world championships in Moscow.
“I don’t have a sabotage story. I don’t have lies … I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down,” the American said, adding that he had never knowingly taken a performance-enhancing drug.
