Usain Bolt Not Among the Top Sprinters Busted for Steroids
The best sprinter in the world was not among some of the sprinting world's big names busted today by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for taking performance enhancing drugs. But one of the best American sprinters alive and two of Usain Bolt's Jamaican teammates were.
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The U.S.A.D.A announced two of the biggest names in sprinting, American Tyson Gay and Jamaican Asafa Powell, both tested positive for banned substance recently. The 30-year-old Gay was informed Friday that his A sample from an out-of-competition test in May came up positive for an unnamed banned substance. Gay's name can still be cleared if his B sample comes back clean, but he already pulled out of next month's World Championships in Moscow and admitted he may have taken a banned substance. "I don't have a sabotage story... I basically put my trust in someone and was let down," he told the BBC. "I know exactly what went on, but I can't discuss it right now." Powell's test from a June race came back positive for oxilofrine, but he is flat out denying any chance of taking banned substances. "I want to be clear in saying to my family, friends and most of all my fans worldwide that I have never knowingly or wilfully taken any supplements or substances that break any rules. I am not now - nor have I ever been - a cheat," Powell's statement read.
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Other sprinters were implicated in the scandal, too. The most notable name being Sherone Simpson, another Jamaican sprinter who won a silver medal at the Olympics. Three other unnamed Jamaican sprinters tested positive for banned substances. Ricky Simms, Usain Bolt's agent, told the BBC that his clients name was not among the Jamaican athletes who tested positive, though. The fastest man in the world is still clean.
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Of the four fastest 100 meter times in the world right now, Powell and Gay are in the top four with fellow countrymen Usian Bolt and Justin Gatlin, respectively. The positive test derails an unreal season for Gay, who has battled injuries over the last few years, that saw him post the three fastest times in 100 meter races this year. Many saw him as a legitimate potential threat to Usain Bolt's title in Moscow next month. But, alas, things won't work out that way. Gay said he'll "take his punishment like a man"
