American champion Tyson Gay has seen his sponsorship with sportswear manufacturer Adidas suspended after the sprinter failed a drug test.
The 2007 IAAF World Championships triple gold medallist revealed on Sunday that he was informed by the US Anti-Doping Agency that he had failed an out-of-competition drug test in May.
“We are shocked by these recent allegations,” a spokesman for Adidas said on Monday. “Even if we presume his innocence until proven otherwise, our contract with Tyson is currently suspended.”
Gay, who recently landed the sprint double title at the U.S. trials, is the American record holder at 9.69 seconds, and has the joint second fastest time ever over 100m, alongside Jamaica’s Yohan Blake.
The 30-year-old who announced that he has withdrawn from the USA team to the World Championships in Moscow, next month, said he would never knowingly take any banned substance, but stated the he will accept whatever punishment he gets like a man.
“I hope I am able to run again,” he revealed, “but I will take whatever punishment I get like a man.”
In the meantime, the USADA has praised the 30-year-old for the handling of his situation.
“USADA appreciates his approach to handling this situation and his choice to voluntarily remove himself from competition while the full facts surrounding his test are evaluated,” a statement read.
Gay’s absence from Moscow, means that there will be no showdown between himself and Jamaican world record holder Usain Bolt.
