IAAF waits for information from Jamaica on how to deal with doping case with worlds looming

IAAF still awaiting Jamaican doping information

BERLIN — The world athletics federation is still awaiting information on a ruling that cleared five Jamaican athletes of doping and a decision on their participation in the world championships is likely to come close to Saturday’s opening.

“We are following the matter. We are not saying anything today,” IAAF secretary general Pierre Weiss said at the federation’s congress on Wednesday.

The IAAF would have liked to have dealt with the issue well ahead of their biennial championships and has been sharply critical of the way the Jamaicans have addressed the situation and the lack of urgency with which it has been transmitting information.

“It is an amazing situation we are facing,” said IAAF council member Helmut Digel.

Jamaica’s Anti-Doping Commission said Monday it will appeal a ruling that had cleared five Jamaicans after a disciplinary panel appointed by the island’s sports minister found there wasn’t enough evidence to prove substance abuse.

The runners had previously been identified as Yohan Blake, Sheri-Ann Brooks, Allodin Fothergill, Lansford Spence and Marvin Anderson.

They reportedly tested positive for the stimulant methylhexanamine. The disciplinary panel cleared Brooks last week and she is on the provisional list to compete in the 100 meters on Sunday.

The IAAF had hoped to receive information from the Jamaican federation right after Monday’s ruling, and has a review panel ready to assess the case on short notice. As long as no information is forthcoming, it cannot tackle the issue.

Although the case does not involve any of the outstanding Olympic sprint medalists from the Beijing Olympics — including triple world record-holder Usain Bolt — it does cast a negative light on the federation itself.