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Trainer Denies Giving Banned Drugs to Sprinters Trainer Denies Giving Banned Drugs to Jamaican Sprinters
(about 9 hours later)
The Canadian trainer of Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson, two top Jamaican sprinters who recently tested positive for banned substances, said that the athletes had taken the stimulants without his knowledge and that he was being blamed as a scapegoat. The Canadian trainer of Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson, two top Jamaican sprinters who recently tested positive for banned stimulants, said that the two had taken the stimulants without his knowledge and that he was being blamed as a scapegoat.
The runners’ agent had blamed the trainer, Christopher Xuereb, for the positive tests this week, saying that the combination of more than 20 substances that Xuereb had provided them must have led to the positive results.The runners’ agent had blamed the trainer, Christopher Xuereb, for the positive tests this week, saying that the combination of more than 20 substances that Xuereb had provided them must have led to the positive results.
In a statement issued late Tuesday night, Xuereb denied that emphatically. “I did not provide any banned or illegal substances to Asafa Powell or Sherone Simpson,” Xuereb said. “I am extremely disappointed that these athletes have chosen to blame me for their own violations.” In a statement issued late Tuesday night, Xuereb denied that emphatically. “I did not provide any banned or illegal substances to Asafa Powell or Sherone Simpson,” Xuereb said. “I am extremely disappointed that these athletes have chosen to blame me for their own violations.
“It is obvious that these athletes were taking additional supplements that were not discussed or known to me,” he said. “It is time the athletes took responsibility for their doping instead of looking around for a scapegoat whether that person is their therapist, bartender or anyone else.” “It is obvious that these athletes were taking additional supplements that were not discussed or known to me,” he said. “It is time the athletes took responsibility for their doping instead of looking around for a scapegoat, whether that person is their therapist, bartender or anyone else.”
Powell, a former world-record holder in the 100 meters, and Simpson, part of Jamaica’s gold-medal-winning relay team, acknowledged Sunday that they had both recently tested positive for Oxilofrine, a banned stimulant. The same day, Tyson Gay, the top American sprinter over the past decade, disclosed that he too had tested positive for a banned substance. Powell, a former world-record holder in the 100 meters, and Simpson, part of a gold-medal-winning Jamaican relay team, acknowledged Sunday that they had recently tested positive for Oxilofrine, a banned stimulant. The same day, Tyson Gay, the top American sprinter over the past decade, disclosed that he, too, had tested positive for a banned substance.
The revelations were the latest embarrassments for a sport that has long been plagued with doping scandals.The revelations were the latest embarrassments for a sport that has long been plagued with doping scandals.
Paul Doyle, the agent representing Powell and Simpson, did not respond immediately Wednesday to requests for comment. Paul Doyle, the agent representing Powell and Simpson, did not respond immediately to requests for comment Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Doyle blamed Xuereb for the positive tests, calling it “pretty obvious to us where we needed to look.”Earlier this week, Doyle blamed Xuereb for the positive tests, calling it “pretty obvious to us where we needed to look.”
Xuereb had provided the runners with roughly 20 substances, some of them commonplace, some of them more unusual, according to an e-mail obtained by The New York Times. They included vitamin C, as well as Actovegin, a drug used by Lance Armstrong’s United States Postal Service cycling team that is made from calves’ blood extract and is said to enhance stamina. None of the substances listed were banned. Xuereb had provided the runners with roughly 20 substances, some of them commonplace, some of them more unusual, according to an e-mail obtained by The New York Times. They included vitamin C, as well as Actovegin, a drug used by Lance Armstrong’s United States Postal Service cycling team. Actovegin is made from calves’ blood extract and is said to enhance stamina. None of the substances listed were banned.
Xuereb maintained that he has acted responsibly at all times. “All vitamins recommended by me were all purchased over the counter at reputable nutritional stores and were major brands,” he said.Xuereb maintained that he has acted responsibly at all times. “All vitamins recommended by me were all purchased over the counter at reputable nutritional stores and were major brands,” he said.
On Monday, Italian authorities raided the hotel where Xuereb and the Jamaican runners were staying, seizing drugs and supplements. Xuereb said that the Italian police had questioned him for several hours, then permitted him to leave. “I cooperated fully,” he said. On Monday, Italian authorities raided the hotel where Xuereb and the Jamaican runners were staying, seizing drugs and supplements. Xuereb said the Italian police questioned him for several hours, then permitted him to leave. “I cooperated fully,” he said.
Powell was one of the fastest runners of his generation, and Simpson won the gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Neither has had his backup sample tested to confirm the positive results yet. Powell was one of the fastest runners of his generation, and Simpson won the gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Neither has yet had a backup sample tested to confirm the positive results.
But Xuereb made clear that he believed they only had themselves to blame. “Both athletes are clearly looking for a scapegoat,” Xuereb said. Xuereb made clear that he believed they had only themselves to blame. “Both athletes are clearly looking for a scapegoat,” Xuereb said.