KINGSTON (Sporting Action) — It is now being reported that the substance found in the five Jamaican athletes who tested positive at the National Championships in June is methylhexanamine and not methylxanthine, which was previously reported.
Methylhexanamine, which can be found in a variety of different forms, including dietary supplements and other products such as geranium oil, was removed from the list of banned substances recognised by the IAAF in 2007.
The names of the five athletes involved have not officially announced by the Jamaican officials, but three of them – Commonwealth Games 100 metres champion Sherri Ann Brooks, and 400m runners Lanceford Spence and Allodin Fothergill, have all been confirmed, via personal statements or representatives.
Sprinters Yohan Blake and Marvin Anderson are reported as the two other athletes involved.
Four of the five – with the exclusion of Anderson because of a hamstring injury, were included in the Jamaican squad for the IAAF World Championships which start in Berlin on August 15.
Meanwhile, following a premature ending to the first scheduled meeting on Monday, the five athletes are expected to face a hearing panel on Wednesday.
