Athletics

WADA to launch Jamaica probe

ESPN staff

October 14, 2013

Jamaica dominated the sprinting events at London 2012, with a clean sweep in the men's 200m © PA Photos

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The World Anti-Doping Agency are reportedly investigating claims Jamaica's all-conquering sprint stars were not tested in the months leading to the London 2012 Olympics.

WADA are believed to be undertaking an 'extraordinary' audit of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission, after a former senior official claimed that the organisation carried out a single test in the five months prior to the Games. JADCO chairman Herbert Elliott has dismissed the claims.

Usain Bolt retained all three of his Olympic titles in London with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce winning a gold and two silvers. Yohan Blake finished runner up to Bolt in the 100m and 200m, and won gold with him as part of Jamaica's 4x100m relay team.

WADA have now confirmed there was "a significant gap of no testing" on JADCO's part in the build-up to the Olympics, and expressed their concern.

"There was a period of - and forgive me if I don't have the number of months right - but maybe five to six months during the beginning part of 2012 where there was no effective operation," WADA Director General David Howman said.

"No testing. There might have been one or two, but there was no testing. So we were worried about it, obviously."

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