Mullings hearing put off till October

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

The disciplinary hearing into sprinter Steve Mullings' adverse analytical finding has been postponed until October 19 and 20, at the request of the attorneys representing the athlete, who faces the possibility of a life ban from the sport.

Mullings returned an adverse finding in both 'A' and 'B' samples taken during the Jamaican National Championships held between June 23 and 26.

Both samples were found to contain traces of the diuretic furosemide, which according to the World Anti-Doping Agency is a masking agent for athletes using anabolic steroids.

The Florida-based sprinter, who has maintained his innocence, was to have represented Jamaica at the IAAF World Athletic Championships that get under way this weekend in Daegu, South Korea. He would have been competing in the 100- and 200-metre sprints.

Yesterday, the Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, chaired by Lennox Gayle and comprising FIFA referee Peter Prendergast and Dr Japheth Ford, granted the request for an adjournment made by Patrick Bailey, senior partner of the law firm Bailey, Terrelonge and Allen, which represents Mullings in the matter.

The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) was also represented by its executive director, Dr Patrece Charles-Freeman.

According to Bailey, the athlete intends to have his urine samples retested abroad and time is needed to conduct the tests and furnish a report.

For that to be done, they need six weeks from yesterday's date.

No objection to extension

Gladstone Robinson, the attorney representing JADCO, said he had no objection to the request, as they want to allow the athlete enough time to prepare his defence.

Bailey explained that Mullings was absent from the hearing because of the short notice between him being notified of the 'B' sample, August 18, and the start of the hearing yesterday, August 22, but that the athlete had not waived his right to the hearing.

Mullings was listening in on the phone from the United States, along with attorney Allison Strange of the law firm Bret Jones PA in Clermont, Florida. Strange is partnering with Ryan Cipparone on the case.

Meantime, before the next hearing, JADCO is expected to file particulars and its list of witnesses with the Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel secretariat and service the athlete and his attorneys Bailey, Terrelonge and Allen by September 22.

The athlete is to file his particulars and list of witnesses with the disciplinary panel secretariat and serve JADCO by October 3. JADCO will reply and serve the athlete and attorneys by October 17, two days before the hearing is reconvened.