'I regret this lapse' - Fraser affirms commitment to track principles

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

World and Olympic 100 meters champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser, has sought to clear the air following her six-month ban, after returning a positive test for the non-performance enhancing drug, Oxycodone, at the Shanghai Diamond League meet on May 23. Her suspension will end in January, 2011.

"On May 23rd 2010, I had the unfortunate experience of not listing a painkiller, which included Oxycodone that I had taken for a severe toothache while in Shanghai, China," Fraser stated in a press release to the media yesterday.

"I had been enduring agonising days of pain following a dental procedure, which was further aggravated by an 18-hour aircraft travel at high altitude. So severe was the pain that I considered not competing," she pointed out.

She said the medication brought her some relief and she was able to compete, managing a second place finish while posting a slow 11.29 seconds.

"At the end of the race I was lethargic, confused and a feeling of depression came over me as I had run one of my slowest times since becoming a professional athlete," Fraser explained.

Margin of loss

"The margin of loss was also much bigger than I could have imagined. It was in this state of mind that I omitted to list the Oxycodone, which was the last painkiller that I had taken, from the list of substances that I had taken to relieve the pain," she said.

"I sincerely regret this lapse in my memory, at a time of great anguish and pain at the end of the race. It is important for my family, my friends, my supporters, my country and the rest of the world to know that the substance that I took for the pain is NOT a performance-enhancing drug. It is also NOT a masking agent," she added.

Fraser has resumed training and is very much looking forward to representing her country and defending her titles at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, and the 2012 Olympics in London.

"I take this opportunity to affirm my commitment to the highest principles and ethics that govern competition in athletics," Fraser emphasised. "I have attained Olympic gold and World Championships gold medals from my sheer hard work, grit, determination and honesty in my training and preparation.

"My achievements on and off the track have all been underpinned by strength of character and support for the laws that govern my undertakings. I thank everyone for their support throughout this personally difficult time and commit to doing my very best to once again earn medals on behalf of my country, Jamaica," she concluded.