KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Former world 100 metre champion, Asafa Powell, could know his fate in two weeks after a Jamaica anti-doping panel hearing his case, resumed on Wednesday.
The hearing, halted in January, resumed but remained unfinished after Powell’s lawyers wanted the chance to cross-examine an anti-doping expert now working at the Winter Olympics in Russia.
The Jamaican sprinter tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine after the 100m final at the Jamaican national championships last June.
The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) and Powell’s attorneys agreed to a final submission of evidence on February 26 but only after Powell lawyer Kwame Gordon objected to a report labeled “very, very significant” by Jamaica Anti-Doping Agency attorney Lackston Robinson.
“We don’t think it should be entered (into evidence) at this stage because our witness would not get the chance to reply,” Gordon argued.
The report from an American laboratory was ordered by Powell’s team seeking clarification that oxilofrine was indeed contained in the Epiphany D1 supplement taken by Powell. Gordon also said if the report was rendered into evidence, Christiane Ayotte, director of Montreal’s anti-doping laboratory, who analyzed the report, must be available for cross-examination.
However Ayottee is working on the other side of the world at the Sochi Winter Olympics.
Gordon instead offered to have his expert, Wayne McLaughlin, analyze the document and submit his findings in writing when the hearing resumed in two weeks.
