DIRTIEST RACE EVER?
Five out of seven positive tests in this 100m line-up
SWITZERLAND is renowned for being neutral but the country nailed its colours to the mast where drug cheats are concerned by hosting the dirtiest Diamond League race this century, won by twice- banned Justin Gatlin.
Of the seven- strong field for the 100m at Lausanne’s Olympic Stadium on Thursday night, five had previously tested positive for banned substances.
Having so many cheats in the same race, with two thought to have been paid five-figure sums just for showing up, has raised serious questions as the sport battles to retain credibility.
The 100m Olympic final in Seoul in 1988 — when six of the eight runners were tainted by drugs — has always been known as the dirtiest race in history but it could now have a rival.
Gatlin (below), who won in 9.75sec in Lausanne and is unbeaten over 100m since 2013, is the most notorious, having been banned twice. The first was for amphetamines, attributed to medicine to treat attention deficit disorder. His second ban was for excessive testosterone, which he said was down to a vengeful masseur rubbing it into his buttocks.
The other banned dopers have also made excuses. Tyson Gay has insisted he was ‘ let down’ by someone he trusted. Asafa Powell said he inadvertently took the stimu- lant oxilofrine in a supplement while Mike Rodgers blamed his positive test for methylhexanamine on a drink he ordered in a club in Italy.
Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis escaped a ban after it was accepted that his failed test in 2002 was down to his asthma medication containing a proscribed substance. It did not make watching Thursday’s event easier to stomach for other athletes. Former British Olympic sprinter Marlon Devonish said: ‘Justin Gatlin is always the one everyone wants to talk about. The system has allowed him to return having already tested
positive twice, so therefore the fault lies primarily with the system, not only Justin.’
Of all 14 Diamond League events this season, the London organisers take the toughest stance but even they do not have a blanket ban.
Gatlin and Gay would almost certainly never be allowed to compete at the Anniversary Games, an event envisaged to promote the legacy of the London Olympics. ‘We would not invite anyone who currently brings the sport into disrepute,’ say British Athletics.
But American Rodgers will line up alongside Usain Bolt in the 100m on July 24 and the door has been left open for Powell to compete in future years.
Gatlin’s agent, Renaldo Nehemiah, told Sportsmail that his client would not do any interviews with British media because he was being unfairly treated.
‘They have been extremely cruel and unfair,’ Nehemiah said in an email to Sportsmail.
‘Justin has paid his dues and doesn’t need to continue to explain to anyone. Fortunately, he lives in a forgiving country. If we were all vilified for past deeds, who would be left standing?’