AFTER A regional report yesterday stated that Jamaican sprinter Nesta Carter tested positive for a ‘B’ sample following his performances at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTO C) president Brian Lewis says the situation will give the entire Caribbean a negative image.
Carter along with teammates Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and Michael Frater won gold in the men’s 4x100-metre relay at the 2008 Beijing Games but Carter’s ‘B’ sample for the banned stimulant methylhexanamine returned postive. The TT team of Richard Thompson, Emmauel Callender, Keston Bledman and Marc Burns took silver in the event and will be awarded the gold medal once the International Olympic Committe upholds the violation.
Lewis said the TTO C did not recieve anything official but said the situation is a loss for the Caribbean as a whole. Lewis, in a telephone interview, stated, “again it will be premature to comment because a process is involved. If reports suggest that the ‘B’ sample is positive it goes to the next phase of the process. We have not received anything official.
“It will be unfortunate because it is a Caribbean country involved.
This does not give us great joy. The competition is decided on the field.
We take on the world as Caribbean countries and make statements.
We compete hard with our fellow Caribbean countries but we are all Caribbean.” Lewis added that the TTO C has taken measures to follow all rules and regulations from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
“The TTO C has been very proactive and is WADA compliant. We are fully supporting the TT Anti- Doping initiative, while the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the respective National Sporting Organisations, (are) helping in the process. The TTO C continues to work with all the stakeholders.” The long-awaited Anti-Doping in Sport Act was proclaimed and officially made law by President of Trinidad and Tobago Anthony Carmona last week.
Lewis, who knows some athletes may unintentionally take illegal substances, added that the TTO C is keeping local athletes aware of anti-doping policies. “We are athlete- centred, keeping athletes informed and aware of what is going on. Too much is at stake.” Lewis explained that setting up the TT Anti-Doping Agency is instrumental in the TTO C achieving its goal of winning 10 or more gold medals by the 2024 Olympic Games. He reiterated that support from the Ministry of Sport is an important part of the TT Anti- Doping initiative.