Jamaican athletes test positive at Olympic Trials

Two Jamaican athletes tested positive at the recent National Championships held at the National Stadium.

One athlete who was a part of the Jamaican team at the 2012 London Olympic Games could now be facing a life ban having tested positive for a stimulant back in 2006.

Ricardo Cunningham of the MVP Club and Dominique Blake both returned adverse analytical findings and are facing a JADCO Disciplinary Hearing.

Blake who tested positive for ephedrine in 2006 and was banned for nine months has requested that her “B” sample be tested.

This was presented at the hearing at the Jamaica Conference Centre earlier this morning.

However the athlete sent an email to the Disciplinary Panel informing of her inability to attend today but indicated that she will be in attendance when the Panel reconvenes on October 17.

In the meantime Cunningham was present at the hearing along with his coach Paul Francis and faced the panel of Chairman Kent Pantry, Lennox Gayle, Dr. Jephtah Ford and Juliet Cuthbert.

The athlete had indicated that he wanted to waive his right to a hearing; however JADCO’s attorney Dr. Lackston Robinson says this should have been done in writing, accepting the assertion of the anti-doping rule violation.

The athlete was advised to withdraw the waiver and go straight to the hearing on October 17.

800 metres runner Cunningham failed to make the Jamaica team for the Olympics, however Blake did not compete in London despite being a part of the team.