Jamaica appeals panel upholds 2 year ban for Olympic discus thrower Traves Smikle
KINGSTON, Jamaica _ A Jamaican appeals panel has upheld Olympic discus thrower Traves Smikle’s two-year ban for doping.
Smikle tested positive for the banned substance
hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic which can mask other drugs. His
urine sample was taken at the Jamaica trials in June 2013.
The Caribbean island’s national-record holder for discus has claimed he did not knowingly or wilfully take any banned substance, and filed an appeal with the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission.
The JADCO appeals panel upheld Smikle’s doping ban on Thursday.
Smikle threw for Jamaica at the 2012 London Olympics, but did not medal.
He was a relative unknown when he set Jamaica‘s national record of 67.12 metres earlier that year.
The Associated Press
Alwin Marshall-Squire is the Editor-in-Chief of S-Q Publications Inc., overseeing editorial strategy for GTA Weekly, GTA Today, and Vision Newspaper. He leads the publications’ mission to deliver bold, original journalism focused on the people and communities of the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, and the global Caribbean diaspora.
Also writes for GTA Weekly and GTA Today.