KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – National quarter-miler Bobby-Gaye Wilkins has been banned for two years by the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association for a doping violation.
Wilkins, who turns 22 on Friday, tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance during the IAAF World Indoor Championships last March in Doha.
The start of the ban has been back-dated to April 9.
The JAAA confirmed Wednesday that their panel comprising Dr Marion Bullock-DuCasse, Dr Guyan Arscott, Dr Carl Bruce and Alveta Knight had determined that a violation had taken place and there had been no extenuating circumstances.
“The JAAA’s Hearing Panel … concluded its deliberations recently and decided that an anti-doping violation has occurred as stated in the IAAF’s Rule 32.2 (a),” the JAAA said.
The clause refers to the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or makers in an athlete’s sample, specifically selective Androgen Receptor Modulator S-4 (Andarine) and Metabolites.
“In accordance with this decision and with this being the first violation, the athlete has been suspended from participation in all competition for a period of two years, under Rule 40.2 of the IAAF Rules,” the country’s governing body announced.
The runner can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration (CAS).
Wilkins was a part of Jamaica’s 4x400m team that won bronze at the World Indoor and the positive test jeopardises the legitimacy of Jamaica’s third-place showing behind the United States and Russia.