The 100m Commonnwealth Games champion appeared before the Federation drugs panel this afternoon to explain her drugs result. It is understood she argued that she may have inadvertently taken the drug when receiving medication for a toothache.But the panel will not release its findings until there is confirmation of the B sample. This is expected by Wednesday morning. England sprinter Katherine Endacott may be promoted to the silver medal if Osayomi is found guilty and stripped of her medal.
A spate of Indian swimmers and wrestlers and Jamaican runners have tested positive to the drug in recent times, with most given a three-month suspension. It increases alertness, can aid weight loss and sometimes is found in party pills as well as prescription drugs.Immediately after the race the first placed runner Sally Pearson was disqualified for a false start after a protest by the England camp, which had elevated Osayemi to the gold medal.But CGF president Mike Fennell, who will be on the drugs hearing panel along with four other CGF officials, a legal advisor and a WADA observer, said he did not know how much damage the test result will have on the Games and the sport of track and field. Famously, Ben Johnson was stripped of his Seoul Olymic gold medal for testing positive to a steroid back in 1988.
“Any positive test, whether it’s in a high profile event or not, is something that is very much regretted. We all strive for clean games, clean sport and clean competition,” said Fennell.
One does not know what sort of damage will accrue because of this particular test.”We just want to let everyone know we are very vigilant.”This is something we just have to work with and do our part in monitoring and eliminating doping in sport.”
Organising Committee secretary general Lalit Bhanot who is also an official in track and field said the result was a timely warning.”We want dope-free games, ” Bhanot said. “That’s why 1500 tests are being conducted. If someone is caught, action will be taken as per the rules.”At the same time it is a message to everyone that no one can escape [the testers]”
Fennell added that no decision had been made on whether Osayemi will be stripped of her medal, although the athlete has been provisionally suspended.”When the hearing has been concluded we will release information as to the results of that hearing,” said Fennell.The World Anti-Doping Agency added methylhexaneamine to its banned list this year but has allowed the range of sanctions to be less than the usual two-year ban.Jamaican athletes Yohan Blake, Marvin Anderson, Allodin Fothergill, Lanceford Spence were initially cleared after testing positive to the same stimulant , but all were then handed three-month bans – Telegraph
