KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Jamaican sprinter Patrick
Jarrett has tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol,
Patrick Anderson, the president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic
Association (JAAA), said.
Jarrett was tested after finishing second to Chris Williams
in the 100 meters at the Jamaican national
championships last month to earn himself a place in the team for the World Championships in Edmonton, Alberta next month.
Anderson confirmed the positive test, adding that Jarrett's
sample, along with 24 others taken at the meeting by local
medical personnel, was analyzed by an officially accredited
laboratory in Montreal.
"He (Jarrett) was the only one that tested positive,"
Anderson said.
The burly Jarrett sprung to prominence earlier this
year with a succession of fast times and victory over 100 world-
record holder Maurice Greene on May 27 at the Prefontaine
Classic in Oregon.
Jarrett is coached by Jamaican Trevor Graham, who also
coaches top American sprinters Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery.
The 23-year-old Jarrett is the first athlete to test
positive for an illegal substance after a meet in Jamaica.
"The athlete now has the right to request that the B
sample be tested as well, and this should be done shortly,"
Anderson said.
"We have done the decent thing, which is to inform him. We
have also informed the International Amateur Athletic Federation
(IAAF) and the athlete has been summoned to a tribunal hearing
by the JAAA, which should take place on Monday or Tuesday,"
Anderson added.
"He has denied knowledge of the substance and how it
got into his system, but it is mandatory that we ask him to
attend a hearing so that the issue can be properly ventilated.
If he is not able to convince the tribunal otherwise, then he
would face a mandatory two-year ban," Anderson said.
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