BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter [email protected]
Saturday, September 28, 2013
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FORMER 100-metre world-record holder Asafa Powell and 2008 Olympic 100m silver medallist Sherone Simpson got January trial dates for their doping hearings, and lead attorney Kwame Gordon is exuding confidence that his clients will be vindicated.
Simpson’s date is set for January 7-8, while Powell will face the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCo) disciplinary committee a week later on January 14-15.
[Hide Description] Former 100-metre world-record holder Asafa Powell and 2008 Olympic 100m silver medallist Sherone Simpson arriving at the Jamaica Conference Centre yesterday for the setting of their trial dates. (PHOTO: JOSEPH WELLINGTON)
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Both athletes failed drug tests at the National Senior Championships in June. “We are confident because we believe we have a strong case,” said Gordon, who along with Danielle Chai, is representing the two MVP athletes.
A three-member JADCo disciplinary panel led by Lennox Gayle, Dr Jephthah Ford and Peter Prendergast presided over the matter as both the JADCo representative Lackston Robinson and the athletes’ attorneys agreed on the trial dates and deadlines for the necessary documentations to be ready.
Powell and Simpson, who returned positive analytical findings for a stimulant, oxilofrine (methylsynephrine) in June, sat quietly in a pensive mood at the Jamaica Conference Centre yesterday, as their attorneys unsuccessfully argued for an earlier date.
For Simpson’s case, JADCo has been given an October 14 date to file to the secretariat their complainant’s briefing, and in return the athlete’s representatives have until October 28 to do likewise.
November 18 is the date set for the exchange of the witness statements and bundles by December 19. In Powell’s case, JADCo should file their complaint by October 22 with November 5 the date for his team to reply.
The exchange of the witness statements are set for November 29 and bundles no later than January 2. Powell and Simpson join Traves Smikle, Allison Randall and Demar Robinson, who also tested positive for banned substances with their trial dates finalised.
Randall got December 5 and 6; Robinson, December 12 and 13; and Smikle, December 16 and 17, to defend themselves.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Confidence#ixzz2gBWYTAsp
Good morning everyone …what a cruel set of people they are,honest n hardworking to come here and be used.So many people get the oppurtunity to come and then they abuse the system and look at these people that just want to work and get paid!!
I hope is a legitimate reason fi have dem substance inna dem system cuz it would be very shameful fi dem & Jamaica pon ah whole cuz dem ah DEAD fi seh Usain ah tek something too !