Antidoping body takes aim again at Jamaicans

LAUSANNE - Agence France-Presse

Jamaica’s gold medalists Nesta Carter, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Nickel Ashmeade and Usain Bolt celebrate at the 2013 IAAF World Championships. AFP photo

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has again expressed its unhappiness at the way Jamaica’s anti-doping program has responded to the five positive tests among Jamaican athletes.

WADA in August had said it was standing by to help Jamaica resolve their problems in the wake of the doping scandal involving former 100m world record-holder Asafa Powell.

The global doping agency had then called for urgent action on the concerns raised by former Jamaica anti-doping chief Renee Anne Shirley over flaws in the country’s drug testing program.

Two months on WADA claimed on Monday: “Since then, WADA has accepted an invitation from the Prime Minister of Jamaica to visit and inspect JADCO (Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission).

“WADA was unhappy to learn that JADCO cannot accommodate this visit until 2014.” 

WADA had warned Jamaica that if they did not take steps, it would report back to the WADA Foundation Board.