THE Asafa Powell-Jamaica Anti- Doping Commission (JADCO) hearing

THE Asafa Powell-Jamaica Anti- Doping Commission (JADCO) hearing will continue on February 26 with the presentation of closing submissions by both parties involved.

Powell, the former 100m world record holder, is facing Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission’s three-member disciplinary panel following a positive test for the banned stimulant Oxilofrine at the National Trials last May.

Powell had blamed the positive test on a supplement Ephiphany D1 given to him by physical trainer, Canadian Chris Xuereb. The day’s proceedings got going at 10:00 am with Caribbean Toxicology Lab’s (CARITOX) Professor Wayne McLaughlin continuing his testimony.

He admitted that just by looking at the ingredients on the bottle of the supplement Ephiphany D1, he would have difficulty knowing it contains banned substances.

“Looking at the ingredients I would not be able to say Oxilofrine is present,” said McLaughin, while answering questions from Powell’s lead attorney, Kwame Gordon.

JADCO attorney, Lackston Robinson, while crossexamining McLaughin, questioned the screening method used in detecting Oxilofrine. By and large, it was the same line of questioning conducted in the Sherone Simpson case last week.

Both athletes tested positive for the same substance and are relying on mitigating circumstances in their defences.

Catty Rattray-Samuels, the former executive director of JADCO, and Dr Paul Wright, the doping control officer, were again cross-examined by Gordon, with the similar line of questioning from the Simpson case last week.

Gordon argued that JADCO’s performance in educating athletes is unacceptable and is partly to be blamed for the slew of recent positive tests. Both Dr Wright and Catty Rattray-Samuels admitted that JADCO could have done more in educating the athletes.

The Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary panel, led by Lennox Gayle, Dr Jephthah Ford and Peter Prendergast, heard all they wanted to hear for the day and the case is now set to resume on Wednesday, February 26. But before that, they will return to complete the Simpson case a day earlier.