RALEIGH, North Carolina: Tearful former double sprint world champion Tyson Gay (pictured) said yesterday he had tested positive for a substance he could not identify and was pulling out of next month’s world championships in Moscow.
Gay, who had the year’s fastest 100 metres time of 9.75 seconds, told two reporters in a telephone conference call he was notified by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on Saturday that his A sample from an out-of-competition test on May 16 had returned a positive.
Shortly after his announcement, former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell confirmed that he had failed a drugs test.
“I will confirm that a sample I gave at the National Trials in June has returned ‘adverse findings’,” said the 30-year-old Powell in a statement released on his Twitter account.
“The substance oxilofrine was found, which is considered by the authorities to be a banned stimulant.
“I want to be clear...that I have never knowingly or wilfully taken any supplements or substances that break any rules.
Speaking of his case, Gay said: “I am not now nor have I ever been a cheat.”
“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 added in which he stated he had never knowingly taken a performance-enhancing drug.
“I made a mistake,” added the 30-year-old sprinter from his training base in Amsterdam.
“I am pulling out of Monaco (Diamond League meeting on Friday) and the world championships.”
Gay, the world 100 and 200 champion in 2007, said he could not divulge the substance or how the positive occurred.
“I am not allowed to talk about those things right now.
“I know exactly what went on, but I can’t discuss it right now,” he added.
“I hope I am able to run again,” Gay said. “But I will take whatever punishment I get like a man.”
USADA said in a statement: “In response to Mr Gay’s statements, USADA appreciates his approach to handling this situation and his choice to voluntarily remove himself from competition while the full facts surrounding his test are evaluated.
“The B sample will be processed shortly, and as in all cases all athletes are innocent unless or until proven otherwise through the established legal process, and any attempt to sensationalize or speculate is a disservice to due process, fair play, and to those who love clean sport.”
Healthy after years of injury, Gay, the joint second-fastest man in history over 100 metres, had been considered a strong challenger for Jamaican world record holder Usain Bolt at the world championships after winning the American trials.
“It has been tough for me,” said the soft-spoken Gay.
He added yesterday: “I have always been a drug-free athlete.” AGENCIES
