Caribbean National Weekly

German broadcaster claims banned substances found in Jamaican athletes Beijing Olympics samples

By Andrew Karim··1 min read
German broadcaster claims banned substances found in Jamaican athletes Beijing Olympics samples
Key Points(5)
  • German broadcaster, ARD has alleged that findings of tainted samples belonging to Jamaican athletes who participated in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 has gone unreported.
  • ARD claims that trace samples of the banned substance, clenbuterol, had been found in retested samples from the games in Jamaican athletes.
  • The broadcaster also alleges that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were made aware of the findings from 2016 but made no move to continue investigations.
  • The 2008 Olympic Games were a stellar year for the Jamaican sprint factory when Usain Bolt won three gold medals.
  • In total Jamaica copped 11 medals.

German broadcaster, ARD has alleged that findings of tainted samples belonging to Jamaican athletes who participated in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 has gone unreported.

ARD claims that trace samples of the banned substance, clenbuterol, had been found in retested samples from the games in Jamaican athletes.

The broadcaster also alleges that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were made aware of the findings from 2016 but made no move to continue investigations.

The 2008 Olympic Games were a stellar year for the Jamaican sprint factory when Usain Bolt won three gold medals. In total Jamaica copped 11 medals.

The country’s 4x100 meters men’s relay team was forced to return their gold medals from those games after Nesta Carter was charged with breaching anti-doping regulations after the banned substance, methylhexeanamine was found in his urine sample after a second test.

In addition ARD quoted WADA director general Olivier Niggli, who said while the tests did show clenbuterol in some Jamaicans, the levels were so low that the findings could not point to cases of doping.

"If the amounts found are relatively low compared to direct intake of the substance, WADA accepts that such cases are not announced," said Niggli.

According to a statement from WADA, samples from a number of athletes from a number of countries came up with the same findings. The contamination was listed as below 1ng/ml, which could be accounted for by the ingestion of tainted meat.

Related Stories

St. Vincent announces emergency measures to offset rising global prices

St. Vincent announces emergency measures to offset rising global prices

Bahamas imposes travel ban on visitors from three African countries over Ebola concerns

Bahamas imposes travel ban on visitors from three African countries over Ebola concerns

CARICOM foreign ministers condemn intensified US measures against Cuba

CARICOM foreign ministers condemn intensified US measures against Cuba

St. Lucia PM cautious on restoring death penalty amid growing public calls

St. Lucia PM cautious on restoring death penalty amid growing public calls