JAMAICA | Opposition Laments JADCO's action which Cost Jamaica the World U20 Women’s 4x100m Record

KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 4, 2022: Opposition Spokesperson on Youth and Sports, Senator Gabriela Morris, says she is disappointed in the recent faux pas by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), which saw Jamaica’s World U20 Women’s 4x100m record being rejected by World Athletics.

The record, which was set by the Jamaican quartet of Serena Cole, Tina Clayton, Brianna Lyston and Tia Clayton at the 49th staging of the Carifta Games at the National Stadium in Kingston, was not ratified by World Athletics due to JADCO’s failure to adhere to the doping control rule of testing athletes after they have set a world record.

The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission was responsible for anti-doping measures at April’s Carifta Games, which was held at the National Stadium in Kingston.

In expressing concern over the mishandling of the process by JADCO, Senator Morris opined that the decision to exclude one of the athletes from testing, contrary to instructions by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), is a monumental overstep by JADCO which must be quickly rectified.

Morris added, “Like the JAAA, I am disappointed by the situation but even more saddened for the athletes who delivered a stellar performance on home soil. It is unfortunate that such carelessness has reversed the hard work of the athletes and their coaches.”

“This incident must now spur contemplation and action to foster greater oversight and accountability in our management of processes surrounding sports. JADCO has a key role that only they play, and errors of this kind are unforgivable”, said Morris. As a nation that has consistently done well in track and field, the administration of rules must adhere to the standards of international bodies which govern sports.

Senator Morris suggested that the Minister responsible for Sports undertake a review of our Anti-Doping Policies and Guidelines that should be followed by JADCO as well as the Therapeutic Uses Committee, which has the responsibility of ensuring that the credibility of our athletes and our sporting legacy is preserved. “This process should be done in a timely manner to restore the confidence of the athletes, coaches and other stakeholders”, said Morris.

Under World Athletics rules, a relay world record can only be ratified if all four members of a team are drug tested.

It means the mark of 43.27 set by Jamaica at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya in 2021 remains the world record.

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