VCB's fate hangs in the balance

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

As speculation mounts about the possible fate of Jamaica's Olympic and World champion Veronica Campbell-Brown, who has tested positive for a banned substance, one of the country's leading sports medicine and anti-doping experts has noted that her explanation could well determine what happens next.

Campbell-Brown, one of the country's most decorated female athletes and, for many years, the nation's standard-bearer, will now face a Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel in an attempt to explain how the illegal substance found its way into her body.

According to Dr Paul Wright, any sanction handed out will depend solely on the case put forward by Campbell-Brown.

"It will depend on the evidence. Any ruling or decision made will depend on the evidence," Wright told The Sunday Gleaner.

Campbell-Brown returned a positive test for a diuretic, more specifically reported to be furosemide, in her A sample, following the Jamaica International Invitational Meet at the National Stadium in May. Based on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, the drug falls within the category of a masking agent.

HEARING TO BE HELD

"The disciplinary panel will listen to Veronica and any expert that she may call in her explanation to show how the substance got into her body, whether it was inadvertent or not," said Wright.

"They will listen to her reason and then, accordingly, give a sanction. However, remember, once it is proven that the substance is in your body and the B sample is proven, then the WADA code says that you have a responsibility for whatever is in your body.

"What they will do is listen to mitigating circumstances that may reflect in a diminution of the sanction that must come," added Wright.

Campbell-Brown has claimed a total of seven Olympic medals and nine World Championships medals in just short of a decade.

However, her success extends well beyond that, as she has claimed a total of 43 medals in all levels of national representation.

It is doubtful that those achievements will be impacted, as similar cases researched by our news team show that sanctions given to athletes hardly apply to time periods that fall outside of when the doping offence took place.

Jamaicans speak

• Kenroy Waysome

When I went on the Net and saw that it was Veronica Campbell-Brown, I was just lost for words. However, I have been looking at the possibilities, seeing that she trains overseas … that someone might have spiked her drinks or something like that. This one really knocks me, especially seeing that another of our athletes got a six-year ban recently.

• Tyfanni Spencer

I feel very bad to know that one of our very own - someone who has done so much for the country - has tested positive for a banned substance. More people will now believe that our athletes who have been doing so well in recent times are on drugs.

• Carlton 'Kidd' Smith

We appreciate her for the great athlete that she has become, and I would like her to be happy and thing. However, it's her job, and in the long run, everybody in the business has to know what they are doing. They have to educate themselves because you never know what might affect them. I feel it's a mistake, though, big mistake.

• Audrey Murray

When I heard it, I said, 'I don't think she go and take drugs to run because she can run from long time.' I think she is on some form of medication because, you know, she is married and may be taking some form of medication as she may want to have children afterwards. But I don't think she went out there and deliberately take drugs to gain some advantage. No, sir. Not Veronica.

• Davian Cole

It was a shocker! I don't expect an elite athlete in Jamaica to be involved in those things. Everybody say is some set-up, some sabotage against the Jamaican athletes. I don't know if she is guilty, but I feel ashamed and embarrassed. Everybody going to be looking at Jamaicans when they win with a lot of doubt and (Usain) Bolt now have a wanted sign over his head 'cause everybody going to be looking at Jamaican athletes.