Brooks

The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) and its disciplinary panel are now at loggerheads following the latter's decision to clear sprinter Sheri-Ann Brooks of a doping violation.

Brooks, one of five athletes to test positive for a still undisclosed substance at the National Championships in June, was the only one who met with the disciplinary panel yesterday.

Chairman of the panel, Kent Gammon, said his group's decision to clear Brooks was based on 'an irregularity'.

"We heard the matter in respect to Sheri-Ann Brooks and decided that based on an irregularity with the testing of the 'B' sample, we could not conclusively, beyond a comfortable doubt, determine the positive finding of the 'A' sample.

"Based on the statement (above) we were unable to impose any sanction," said Gammon.

Next move

However, according to Gammon, JADCO was not ready to accept his panel's findings. Gammon added that JADCO may be taking the findings to a tribunal to review the matter.

But when contacted, Executive Director of JADCO Dr Patrece Charles-Freeman said: "JADCO cannot discuss the case."

She added: "The hearings have not been concluded ... as soon as the matter is concluded, which will be very soon, we will give a detailed press release."

Brooks got off because, according to a source, her lawyers argued that JADCO did not follow procedure when they ordered the testing of the athlete's 'B' sample. They said it was tested without her knowledge.

Testing overseer

It is understood that JADCO is contending that Brooks had in-formed them in writing that would not have a representative to observe the testing of the 'B' sample. This would have given JADCO the right to appoint an independent observer to oversee the testing.

However, the athlete's coach, Marlon Malcolm, when contacted, replied "she did not", when asked if Brooks had advised JADCO that she was unable to find an observer.

According to Malcolm, she only requested the testing of her 'B' sample. Under the doping rules she should have been advised of the date and time of the testing.

The hearings for the other four athletes - Marvin Anderson, Yohan Blake, Allodin Fothergill and Lansford Spence - will take place tomorrow.