Disciplinary panel to hand down Fraser decision soon

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

The fate of World and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser in now in the hands of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association's (JAAA) disciplinary panel.

The 23-year-old, who tested positive for a prohibitive substance at a Diamond League meet in Shanghai, China, in May, gave her account of the events which led to her positive test at a three-member JAAA disciplinary panel hearing on Wednesday, and now awaits the decision of the panel, which is headed by former chief justice, Lensley Wolfe.

The panel also includes former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Winston Spaulding, and consultant psychiatrist, Dr Aggrey Irons.

"The hearing was held on Wednesday and we are waiting for the panellists to deliberate and to hand down their findings," said JAAA vice-president and head of the association's medical and anti-doping committee, Dr Warren Blake.

"When the findings are handed down it will then be forwarded to the IAAF for their review after which the athlete and the public will be told, which is the general procedure for an athlete of international repute," he declared.

Fraser, who has been provisionally suspended by the IAAF until the JAAA hearing is completed, was represented by a team headed by Dr Lloyd Barnett.

The hearing was held in a private and secure location outside the glare of the media.

"The hearing took the better part of the day," said Blake. "She gave her statement after which she was cross-examined by the panellists. I am thinking that we will hear what the panel decides by next week after all the evidence and statements presented at the hearing is typed up, reviewed and a final judgment is made," he added.

Tooth condition

Fraser, in media reports prior to the hearing, said she took a painkiller for a tooth condition prior to the meet. However, as per procedure, she failed to report it on the meet's drug testing form. The painkiller, according to reports, was Oxycodone.

While not a performance-enhancing drug or masking agent, as per IAAF rules, the drug is on the World Anti-Doping Agency list of drugs which must be declared by an athlete prior to competition.

Fraser faces a ban of up to two years at a maximum, and a public warning at a minimum.