ATHLETES' DILEMMA

Italian police raided the hotel where Asafa Powell, Sherone Simpson and their Canadian trainer were staying after the two athletes tested positive for banned stimulants. Drugs and muscle supplements were seized. Here's what our Facebook followers had to say:

Please, athletes don't take anything from anybody. Educate yourselves about banned substances. I know it's hard but you have to take your life into your own hands.

- Chris H. Clarke

You know, I think someone or some organisation has it out for the Jamaicans. We have been winning too much. Lord, what money can do.

- Mary J. Campbell

There was an earlier comment that the athletes did a thorough check into the supplement, so maybe that is the reason for the investigation. Give Asafa a chance to defend himself.

- Shereen Dawkins

Athletes only need to worry about two things, training hard and being careful what they ingest. I am not an athlete but you could not give me medication and say 'here, take this'. The athletes have been at this long enough to know better than to trust people and just take what is given. Come on, take some personal responsibility instead of pleading ignorance.

- Inmyown Words

NO PUBLIC SMOKING IN JA

Placard-bearing supporters of the new ban on smoking in public places, marched in Half-Way Tree yesterday. The Gleaner's Facebook followers had this to say about the new regulations:

I would think that Jamaicans have more to demonstrate against than smoking.

- Abiola Jomilogu

Every industrialised country has that rule. It is good for Jamaica.

- Pernel Harvey

It is good, but burning plastic is more harmful to health.

- Susan James

The burning of plastic in the hills is very harmful to one's health as well.

- Jenny Lon

I'm glad for the law as a non smoker, but the punishment is too severe and not enough time was given to get used to it. Most countries would give at least six months to a year before implementing. Part of the law says you can't smoke within five metres of a public place. How many people know how to judge that? I can't eyeball five metres. Are they going to mark out this distance? Are police going to walk around with metre sticks?

Sometimes Jamaica waits too long to do things and when they finally get to it, they overdo it. Not even in America are the fines so severe.

- Audrey Houston