WADA sets up unit to investigate "serious" doping matters

MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) yesterday set up an independent investigation into the “serious” allegations of widespread doping in Russian athletics.

The commission will be led by Richard Pound, a former head of the agency and a leading and longstanding member of the International Olympic Committee, said a WADA statement.

WADA has acted following a series of German television documentaries which said Russian athletes were systematically given banned substances at international competitions.

Russian officials have strongly denied the accusations.

The commission will seek to establish “if there have been any breaches of World Anti-Doping Code or International Standard processes or rules” including by WADA-accredited laboratories, athletes, coaches, trainers and doctors, said the statement.

It will “explore whether sufficient evidence exists that could lead to sanctions against any individual or organisation under rules of the World Anti-Doping Code”.

Richard McLaren, a leading expert on international sports law and a member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), will also sit on the commission.

WADA president Craig Reedie said the commission would analyse the documentaries and information received “separately” by the agency.

“If it is found that there have been violations or breaches of the rules, WADA will ensure that any individuals or organisations concerned are dealt with in an appropriate fashion under the World Anti-Doping Code,” said Reedie.

“The commission will be given the resources it needs in order for the investigation to be carried out thoroughly,” he added.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) welcomed the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announcement.

The IAAF ethics commission is also looking into the allegations.

“The IAAF takes this opportunity to reiterate its full support of the WADA investigation,” said IAAF president Lamine Diack.

“Our primary concern must always be to protect the integrity of competition in support of the vast majority of clean athletes, and we look forward to working with WADA to this end.”

An IAAF statement said the ethics commission will also “ensure all matters of concern are thoroughly and rigorously examined”.

The treasurer of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Valentin Balakhnichev, and Diack’s son have stepped down from their positions while the corruption and doping allegations are investigated.

Balakhnichev is also the president of the Russian Athletics Federation, while Diack’s son Papa Massata Diack has been working for the IAAF as a marketing consultant.

Diack has stepped down after allegations of possible corruption linked to the attribution of the 2017 world athletics championships, which was handed to London ahead of Qatar.

Both Balaknichev and 50-year-old Diack deny the respective allegations.

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WADA sets up unit to investigate "serious" doping matters

Jamaica sprint star Usain Bolt blasts officials for Gay’s doping ban

Tyson Gay (left) pictured with Usain Bolt of Jamaica (File)

GLASGOW, Scotland, Wednesday July 23, 2014, CMC - Jamaican sprint super star Usain Bolt has criticized anti-doping officials for reducing American sprinter Tyson Gay’s doping ban after he tested positive for an anabolic steroid last year.

Gay and Bolt’s fellow Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, both 31, failed drug tests for oxilofrine, in July 2013.

Gay was given a one-year ban and Powell was initially suspended for 18 months.

“I’m not really happy with the situation and with how it was done,” Bolt said.

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“I think for someone like [fellow Jamaican] Asafa [Powell] to get a ban of 18 months for that [stimulant oxilofrine] and then Tyson Gay get just one year because of cooperating, I think it is sending a bad message into the sport that you can do it [dope], but if you cooperate with us, we’ll reduce the sentence.”

Powell claimed his ruling was “unfair and unjust”, and said a legal supplement he took, Epiphany D1, was contaminated.

He appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and his ban was subsequently reduced to six months.

Former 100m and 200m world champion Gay could have been banned for up to two years but received a lighter penalty because he co-operated with the US Anti-Doping Agency.

“I don’t think that’s the right way to go,” Bolt insisted.

“… because you are pretty much telling people that this is a way out, it’s a way of beating the system”.

Both Gay and Powell have now returned to action.

Bolt is scheduled to race for the first time this year in the Commonwealth Games 4x100m relay next week.

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Jamaica sprint star Usain Bolt blasts officials for Gay’s doping ban

Italian doping probe of Jamaicans moving forward

BY AP reporter David McFadden in Kingston, Jamaica, contributed to this report.

ROME, Italy (AP) — The criminal doping investigation into former 100-metre world record-holder Asafa Powell, Jamaica teammate Sherone Simpson and their trainer has been delayed by bureaucratic problems but will go ahead.Udine prosecutor Andrea Gondolo told The Associated Press on Tuesday that his office has been unable to contact the athletes to ask whether they want to observe the testing of substances sequestered during a police raid in July on their training base in northern Italy.The athletes can observe the testing themselves or designate a lawyer to do so. They have 20 days to respond once contacted.“The problem has been finding an address to deliver the notification to see if they want to observe the tests, because some of the tests cannot be repeated,” Gondolo said. “But I think we should be able to move forward within a month.”If the athletes cannot be contacted, prosecutors could go to the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association instead.The Canadian trainer, Christopher Xuereb, was already contacted.Milton Samuda, a Jamaican attorney who represents Powell and Simpson, did not respond to e-mails or calls seeking comment.Following the July hotel raid in Lignano Sabbiadoro, where the Jamaicans have been training for years, the athletes and Xuereb were formally placed under criminal investigation for violating Italy’s doping laws.The raid came after it was announced that Powell and Simpson had tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine at the Jamaican championships in June.The athletes blamed Xuereb, their newly hired trainer, and said that new supplements he provided caused the positive tests. Xuereb responded by saying that he didn’t give the sprinters performance-enhancing drugs and suggested he was being made a scapegoat.Italy’s doping laws include sections for use, administration of banned substances and importation of banned substances.Administration and importation carry more severe sentences and therefore Xuereb risks harsher punishment, Gondolo said, adding that the athletes do not risk prison time.The confiscated substances appear to be from the United States, according to the containers they were found in, Gondolo said.Powell and Simpson also risk bans from sports authorities. They have already stopped competing and missed last month’s World Championships in Moscow.POWELL… former 100-metre world record-holderSIMPSON… tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine at the Jamaican championships in June

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Italian doping probe of Jamaicans moving forward

Turkish 100-metre hurdles champ banned for doping

Sport

Thursday, August 29, 2013

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) — Former European 100m hurdles champion Nevin Yanit was handed a two-year suspension by the Turkish Athletics Federation (TAF) after testing positive for banned substances, they announced yesterday.The 2010 and 2012 continental champion had already been suspended along with compatriot and 1500m Olympic champion Asli Cakir Alptekin, while 31 other Turkish athletes were suspended on the eve of the recent World Championships in Moscow.Nevin Yanit finished fifth at the 2012 Olympics and won the European 60m indoor title earlier this year at Gothenburg.“The IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) had informed us that Nevin Yanit’s sample taken at the event in Dusseldorf on Feb. 8 tested positive for a banned substance,” read a Federation statement.“After her B sample also tested positive, the Disciplinary Board asked for Yanit’s defence and decided to ban the athlete for two years following deliberations,” continued the statement.She had already been banned from the upcoming Mediterranean Games by the TAF over continued suspicions about doping.Alptekin, who caused a huge surprise with her Olympic triumph faces a lifetime ban as she has already served a two-year suspension for doping in 2004 and the IAAF has confirmed she will be stripped of her title if found guilty.Her compatriot Gamze Balut finished second in the Olympic final with Maryam Yusuf Jamal of Bahrain coming home third and Russia’s Tatyana Tomashova fourth and now in a potential position to move up to bronze.A decision on Alptekin is pending.The Turkish capital of Istanbul is a candidate for the 2020 Summer Olympics along with Madrid and Tokyo, with the International Olympic Committee set to announce the host city on September 7 in Buenos Aires.

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Turkish 100-metre hurdles champ banned for doping

Rodriguez in baseball doping ban

5 August 2013 Last updated at 23:12 ET Alex Rodriguez: “If I don’t defend myself no-one else will.”

Baseball’s highest paid star, Alex Rodriguez, has said he is fighting for his life as he and 12 other players are suspended in a doping scandal.

Major League Baseball banned the New York Yankees slugger for 211 games until the end of the 2014 season.

The 38-year-old is one of a few players who have been linked to a closed Florida clinic which allegedly supplied banned performing-enhancing drugs.

Rodriguez, who is popularly known as A-Rod, said he would appeal the penalty.

He can continue playing while his challenge is being heard.

‘Mistakes made’

In a news conference on Monday, Rodriguez did not deny using performance-enhancing drugs, saying he would address the issue another time.

“I’m sure there’s been mistakes made along the way,” he said. “We’re here now.

Continue reading the main story New York Yankees slugger Alex RodriguezTexas Rangers outfielder Nelson CruzSan Diego Padres shortstop Everth CabreraDetroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny PeraltaPhiladelphia Phillies reliever Antonio BastardoNew York Mets outfielder Jordany Valdespin New York Yankees catcher Francisco CervelliSeattle Mariners catcher Jesus MonteroNew York Mets outfielder prospect Cesar PuelloSan Diego Padres pitching prospect Fautino de los SantosHouston Astros pitching prospect Sergio EscalonaNew York Yankees outfield prospect Fernando MartinezJordan Norberto, a Minor League pitcher

Source: Major League Baseball

“I’m a human being. I’ve had two hip surgeries. I’ve had two knee surgeries. I’m fighting for my life. I have to defend myself. If I don’t defend myself no-one else will.”

He spoke just hours before taking to the field for the first time this season after his surgery. The Yankees played the Chicago White Sox.

Other players suspended on Monday include the Texas Rangers’ Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers, and Everth Cabrera who plays with the San Diego Padres. They each received a 50-game ban.

They are the latest players to fall foul of the doping allegations which have plagued the sport.

Only last month, the Milwaukee Brewers’ Ryan Braun was banned for the 2013 season. The third baseman was accused of breaking drug rules and accepted a 65-game suspension.

But Rodriguez is the most high profile star to be snared by investigators. His current 647 home runs places him at fifth for the all-time record.

Major League Baseball, the organisation governing the sport, said Rodriguez had been suspended for “his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including testosterone and human growth hormone, over the course of multiple years”.

The statement also accused the player of “attempting to cover up his violations” by obstructing the investigation.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said on Monday: “We continue to attack this issue on every front.”

The accusations against Rodriguez emerged from a major investigation into a shut Florida drug clinic, Biogenesis, that allegedly distributed performance-enhancing drugs to a number of professional baseball players.

Rodriguez was accused of interfering with the Major League Baseball investigation into Biogenesis, resulting in a harsher penalty, correspondents say.

He previously admitted using performance-enhancing drugs while playing for a Texas team between 2001-03, but had denied using steroids since.

He was named Most Valuable Player in baseball’s American League three times.

The divorced father of two’s earnings this year total over $30m (£19.5m) according to Forbes.

Rodriguez has previously been romantically linked to a string of celebrities, including pop singer Madonna and actresses Kate Hudson and Cameron Diaz.

After years of inflated batting statistics – and arm muscles – during what has become known as baseball’s “steroids era”, the extent of doping in the sport was laid bare in a 2007 report by former Senator George Mitchell.

The sport subsequently strengthened its drug-testing policies and created an investigative branch to prosecute such offences.

Many had hoped the changes would usher in a new, “clean” era for the sport.

Baseball legends such as Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were previously both accused of lying about alleged steroid use.

Bonds was convicted of obstruction of justice, while Clemens was cleared of perjury. The allegations left a cloud over both stars’ legacies.

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Rodriguez in baseball doping ban

Rodriguez in baseball doping ban

5 August 2013 Last updated at 23:12 ET Alex Rodriguez: “If I don’t defend myself no-one else will.”

Baseball’s highest paid star, Alex Rodriguez, has said he is fighting for his life as he and 12 other players are suspended in a doping scandal.

Major League Baseball banned the New York Yankees slugger for 211 games until the end of the 2014 season.

The 38-year-old is one of a few players who have been linked to a closed Florida clinic which allegedly supplied banned performing-enhancing drugs.

Rodriguez, who is popularly known as A-Rod, said he would appeal the penalty.

He can continue playing while his challenge is being heard.

‘Mistakes made’

In a news conference on Monday, Rodriguez did not deny using performance-enhancing drugs, saying he would address the issue another time.

“I’m sure there’s been mistakes made along the way,” he said. “We’re here now.

Continue reading the main story New York Yankees slugger Alex RodriguezTexas Rangers outfielder Nelson CruzSan Diego Padres shortstop Everth CabreraDetroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny PeraltaPhiladelphia Phillies reliever Antonio BastardoNew York Mets outfielder Jordany Valdespin New York Yankees catcher Francisco CervelliSeattle Mariners catcher Jesus MonteroNew York Mets outfielder prospect Cesar PuelloSan Diego Padres pitching prospect Fautino de los SantosHouston Astros pitching prospect Sergio EscalonaNew York Yankees outfield prospect Fernando MartinezJordan Norberto, a Minor League pitcher

Source: Major League Baseball

“I’m a human being. I’ve had two hip surgeries. I’ve had two knee surgeries. I’m fighting for my life. I have to defend myself. If I don’t defend myself no-one else will.”

He spoke just hours before taking to the field for the first time this season after his surgery. The Yankees played the Chicago White Sox.

Other players suspended on Monday include the Texas Rangers’ Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers, and Everth Cabrera who plays with the San Diego Padres. They each received a 50-game ban.

They are the latest players to fall foul of the doping allegations which have plagued the sport.

Only last month, the Milwaukee Brewers’ Ryan Braun was banned for the 2013 season. The third baseman was accused of breaking drug rules and accepted a 65-game suspension.

But Rodriguez is the most high profile star to be snared by investigators. His current 647 home runs places him at fifth for the all-time record.

Major League Baseball, the organisation governing the sport, said Rodriguez had been suspended for “his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including testosterone and human growth hormone, over the course of multiple years”.

The statement also accused the player of “attempting to cover up his violations” by obstructing the investigation.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said on Monday: “We continue to attack this issue on every front.”

The accusations against Rodriguez emerged from a major investigation into a shut Florida drug clinic, Biogenesis, that allegedly distributed performance-enhancing drugs to a number of professional baseball players.

Rodriguez was accused of interfering with the Major League Baseball investigation into Biogenesis, resulting in a harsher penalty, correspondents say.

He previously admitted using performance-enhancing drugs while playing for a Texas team between 2001-03, but had denied using steroids since.

He was named Most Valuable Player in baseball’s American League three times.

The divorced father of two’s earnings this year total over $30m (£19.5m) according to Forbes.

Rodriguez has previously been romantically linked to a string of celebrities, including pop singer Madonna and actresses Kate Hudson and Cameron Diaz.

After years of inflated batting statistics – and arm muscles – during what has become known as baseball’s “steroids era”, the extent of doping in the sport was laid bare in a 2007 report by former Senator George Mitchell.

The sport subsequently strengthened its drug-testing policies and created an investigative branch to prosecute such offences.

Many had hoped the changes would usher in a new, “clean” era for the sport.

Baseball legends such as Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were previously both accused of lying about alleged steroid use.

Bonds was convicted of obstruction of justice, while Clemens was cleared of perjury. The allegations left a cloud over both stars’ legacies.

View the original article here

Rodriguez in baseball doping ban

Doping already overshadows tracks worlds

Sport

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

MOSCOW, Russia (AP) — Even before a race has been run, a series of recent doping scandals has already begun to overshadow next month’s world track championships.Two of Usain Bolt’s main rivals in the 100 metres — Jamaican teammate Asafa Powell and American sprinter Tyson Gay — have failed doping tests in recent weeks. Sherone Simpson, another Jamaican, is also among the recent positives.But Sebastian Coe, a two-time Olympic gold medallist in the 1,500 and a vice-president of the IAAF, said yesterday that the competition is bigger than any individual athlete.“We will have here in Moscow some of the world’s greatest competitors, both domestically and internationally,” Coe said. “And the message that should emanate from the last few weeks, is that the IAAF (and others) take the abuse of drugs in sport very, very seriously.”The worlds start August 10 and run for nine days. Bolt is still expected to be there, but Powell and Gay won’t be.“The message is very clear: If you choose to cheat, the technology is there and the will within the IAAF and within the international federations and the national governing bodies is there to make sure that our sport is clean and is competed all with integrity,” Coe said.Also, the organising committee said authorities have taken all necessary security measures to keep the competition safe.“We hope that our law enforcement agencies do a perfect job,” said Alexei Vorobyev, the head of Moscow’s sports department.

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Doping already overshadows tracks worlds

Usain Bolt: Doping scandals "set us back"

LONDON (AP) — Usain Bolt, insisting that he is running clean, believes the recent doping scandals in sprinting has hurt the sport.

The world’s fastest man stopped short of condemning fellow Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson or American rival Tyson Gay, whose failed doping tests have left the sport in turmoil ahead of the World Champs.“Definitely, it’s going to set us back a little bit,” Bolt said Thursday in London before a Diamond League meet — his first competition in the city since his three gold medals at last year’s Olympics. “But as a person, I can’t focus on this.”Bolt said it won’t affect his preparations for the upcoming world championships In Moscow.“I still have world championships, everyone is stepping up their game, so I have to really focus on that,” he said. “I am just trying to work hard, run fast and hopefully help people to forget what has happened and just move on.”Bolt runs the 100 metres Friday and 4×100 relay Saturday at the meet in London’s Olympic Stadium, which marks the one-year anniversary of the opening ceremony.In his first public comments since news of the high-profile doping cases broke on July 14, Bolt promised that he won’t be the next sprint star to be embroiled in a scandal.“I was made to inspire people and to run, and I was given the gift and that’s what I do,” the six-time Olympic champion said. “I am confident in myself and my team, the people I work with. And I know I am clean.“So I’m just going to continue running, using my talent and just trying to improve the sport.”If the recent cases have cast doubt about Bolt’s own integrity, the 100- and 200-metre world record-holder asked sceptics to check his record.“If you were following me since 2002, you would know that I have been doing phenomenal things since I was 15,” the 26-year-old Bolt said. “I was the youngest person to win the world juniors at 15. I ran the world junior (200) record 19.93 at 17 … I have broken every record there is to break, in every event I have ever done.”Powell and Simpson tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrone at Jamaica’s national championships in June. Discus thrower Allison Randall and two other Jamaican athletes also returned positives for banned substances at the same meet.“It was surprising, definitely, what’s going on,” Bolt said. “I think there’s a lot of details that’s left to be discussed. So I’m just sitting and waiting to see the results and what’s what because there’s a lot of things that hasn’t been said and done yet.”Bolt said he reached out through text message with Powell after the positive test was announced.“I didn’t want to bombard him with questions,” Bolt said. “I told him, ‘Sorry to hear what was going on.’ And he said ‘Yes, it’s kind of rough, it’s hard.’“And I just told him to stay strong and stay focused, and hopefully everything will work out.”Powell was the last man to hold the 100-metre world record before Bolt broke it in 2008. He also helped the Jamaicans to the 4×100-metre relay gold medal at the 2008 Olympics.In almost 20 minutes with reporters, Bolt avoided any direct criticism of his fellow athletes.“In life things happen, people make mistakes, mishaps happen,” Bolt said in response to a question about doping sanctions.Both Powell and Gay claim they failed drug tests because they trusted people they didn’t know well.Bolt doesn’t doubt his inner circle and was astounded by the suggestion he could inadvertently be given a banned supplement and test positive.“What?! I am clean,” Bolt shot back while insisting he only takes vitamins not supplements. “You have to be careful as an athlete what you do and what you ingest, the food you eat and stuff like that.“But I am not worried because … I have a great team around me to make sure everything go smoothly.”Bolt was asked about the severity of doping sanctions, whether a two-year ban was too lenient.“Drugs are harsh on the sport, I can say it’s really bad,” he said. “I don’t make the rules, really. I can’t determine how harsh the rules should be.”Fellow sprinter Kim Collins, who is also competing in the two-day meet, accepts that every athlete is now under scrutiny. He said the recent doping cases “leave a bad taste for all of us.”“Everyone is judged and I will be judged running fast at my age,” said the 37-year-old Collins, a former 100-metre the former world champion from St Kitts and Nevis.

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2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

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Usain Bolt: Doping scandals "set us back"

I"m clean, says Bolt... says doping scandals have ‘set us back’

LONDON, England (AP) — Insisting that he is running clean, Usain Bolt said yesterday that the recent spate of doping scandals in athletics will damage the sport.

They won’t affect his preparations for the upcoming World Championships, however.The world’s fastest man stopped short of condemning Jamaican teammates Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson or American rival Tyson Gay, whose failed doping tests have left the sport in turmoil ahead of the Worlds in Moscow next month.“Definitely it’s going to set us back a little bit,” Bolt said in London, ahead of a Diamond League meet, his first competition in the city since his three gold medals at last year’s Olympics. “But as a person I can’t focus on this.“I still have World Championships, everyone is stepping up their game, so I have to really focus on that. … I am just trying to work hard, run fast and hopefully help people to forget what has happened, and just move on.”Bolt will run the 100 metres today and the 4×100 relay tomorrow at the Olympic Stadium in a meet marking the anniversary of the start of the 2012 London Olympics. In his first public comments since news of the high-profile doping cases broke, Bolt promised that he won’t be the next sprint star to be embroiled in a scandal.“I was made to inspire people and to run, and I was given the gift and that’s what I do,” the six-time Olympic champion said. “I am confident in myself and my team, the people I work with. And I know I am clean.“So I’m just going to continue running, using my talent and just trying to improve the sport.”If the recent cases have cast doubt about Bolt’s own integrity, the 100- and 200-metre world record-holder asked sceptics to just check his record.“If you were following me since 2002 you would know that I have been doing phenomenal things since I was 15,” the 26-year-old Bolt said. “I was the youngest person to win the world juniors at 15. I ran the world junior (200) record 19.93 at (17) … I have broken every record there is to break, in every event I have ever done.“For me, I have proven myself since I was 15 … I have shown everything throughout the years, since I was always going to be great.”It was announced earlier this month that Powell and Simpson tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrone at Jamaica’s national championships in June. Discus thrower Allison Randall and two other athletes also returned positive tests for banned substances at the same meet.“I’m just sitting and waiting to see the results and what’s what,” Bolt said. “There’s a lot that hasn’t been said and done yet.”Bolt said he has spoken only briefly via text message with Powell since the positive test was announced.“I didn’t want to bombard him with questions,” Bolt said. “I told him, ‘sorry to hear what was going on’. And he said ‘Yes, it’s kind of rough, it’s hard’.“And I just told him to stay strong and stay focused, and hopefully everything will work out.”Powell was the last man to hold the 100-metre world record before Bolt broke it in 2008. He also helped the Jamaicans to the 4×100-metre relay gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.In almost 20 minutes with reporters in London yesterday, Bolt avoided any direct criticism of his fellow athletes.“In life things happen, people make mistakes, mishaps happen,” Bolt said in response to a question about doping sanctions.Bolt does not doubt his inner circle and was astounded by the suggestion he could inadvertently be given a banned supplement and test positive.“What? I am clean,” Bolt shot back while insisting he only takes vitamins and not supplements. “You have to be careful as an athlete what you do and what you ingest, the food you eat and stuff like that.“But I am not worried because … I have a great team around me.”Questions about the apparent leniency of two-year doping bans were sidestepped by Bolt.“I can’t determine how harsh the rules should be,” he said.Sprinter Kim Collins, who is also competing in the two-day London meet, accepts that every athlete is now under scrutiny, saying the wave of recent doping cases “leave a bad taste for all of us”.“Everyone is judged and I will be judged running fast at my age,” said the 37-year-old Collins, a former 100-metre world champion from St Kitts and Nevis.Jamaica’s Usain Bolt listens during a press conference in London yesterday. (PHOTO: AP)

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I"m clean, says Bolt... says doping scandals have ‘set us back’

Athletes split over doping scandals

MONACO (AP) — Carmelita Jeter of the United States and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica walked out of a news conference yesterday after the sprinters were asked about the atmosphere in their teams following recent failed doping tests for Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell.

Jeter and Fraser-Pryce had requested not to be quizzed about doping, ahead of today’s Herculis meeting in Monaco.When they were, following a couple of benign questions, the pair responded by abruptly getting up and leaving.Gay won the 100 and 200 metres in the US trials last month. But the 2007 triple world champion pulled out of the Herculis meet and of the World Championships in Moscow after being notified of a positive doping test by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) earlier this month.Powell, the former 100-metre record holder, and Sherone Simpson, a three-time Olympic medallist, tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine at the Jamaican championships last month. Olympic champion Veronica Campbell Brown tested positive for a banned diuretic in May.However, Australian hurdler Sally Pearson, American high jumper Brigetta Barrett and sprinter Justin Gatlin did not shy away from discussing the issue of doping yesterday.“You have to make sure that you’re responsible for what’s going into your body and who’s around you,” said Gatlin, a former Olympic and world champion who was suspended for four years after testing positive for a banned substance in 2006.“It’s just life. That’s one thing I learnt when everything happened with me,” Gatlin said. “You got to deal with it. You got to move forward. The one thing I learnt about track and field is: It’s not about what you say, it’s about what you do.”Gay will turn 31 in August. If his ‘B’ sample also proves positive, he could face a two-year ban and would struggle to be competitive again.“Getting back in shape was really the toughest part,” Gatlin recalled. “I came back like 20 pounds overweight.”Barrett, who won the US trials with a personal best of 2.04 and is the Olympic runner-up, clearly hadn’t expected the string of doping test announcements in recent weeks.“You’re always shocked by the news when your ‘heroes’ have fallen,” Barrett said. “It does feel like a shock because I didn’t expect those people to have a positive test.“As far as Tyson Gay is concerned, my heart and my prayers go out to him and anybody else having to deal with the consequences of a positive test result,” added Barrett. “And I can only pray that they could deal with it with grace and that other people can treat them accordingly.”Pearson regretted that doping has returned to plague the sport’s image, but highlighted the work of anti-doping authorities around the world.“It’s disappointing that these things happen,” she said. “But at the same time, I guess it’s good that whatever doping agency is doing it is keeping on top of the athletes.“It’s a shame that you have to talk about it. It’s a shame that you have to comment on it and have a feeling and an opinion about what’s happened, because it’s hard. We know these athletes personally as well. It can be difficult.”As for the meet, though, there should be plenty of action on the night.Gatlin will face the new generation of Jamaican sprinters with Kemar Bailey-Cole and Nickel Ashmeade, who respectively finished second and third behind Usain Bolt at their national trials in Kingston.European champion Christophe Lemaitre of France pulled out of the meet to focus on training, while Bolt skipped the Diamond League event.Gatlin edged Bolt by 0.01 second in Rome last month to be the only sprinter who has beaten the six-time Olympic champion this season.“I feel like I’m number one, that’s my thought,” Gatlin said with a grin. “My mum thinks I’m the number one.”Gatlin will be Bolt’s main rival in the 100 at the Moscow worlds, which start on August 10.In the men’s triple jump, Olympic and world champion Christian Taylor competes against Pedro Picardo of Cuba. Picardo is only 20 but he’s the 2012 junior world champion and leaped a world-leading 17.69 in Havana last month.Barrett will be up against two veterans, Olympic champion Anna Chicherova of Russia and two-time world champion Blanka Vlasic of Croatia in Monaco.In the women’s 100 hurdles, Olympic and world champion Pearson will compete against Kellie Wells of the United States, who finished third last year in London. Brianna Rollins, who set a world-leading time of 12.26 at the US trials, and heptathlon Olympic champion Jessica Ennis of Britain both pulled out.The Herculis meeting is the 10th leg of the Diamond League.

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Athletes split over doping scandals