Jamaica name Williams in Doha team despite positive dope test

Friday, 13 September 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Briana Williams of Jamaica crosses the finish line, Athletics, 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships, Women’s 100 m, Tampere, Finland, 12 July 2018 – Reuters

KINGSTON, Jamaica (Reuters): Briana Williams was named in Jamaica’s team for the world athletics championships in Doha on Wednesday despite facing a hearing into a positive doping test.

The inclusion of the world under-20 double sprint champion in Jamaica’s 55-member squad is contingent on the outcome of her disciplinary hearing, which is set for 23-25 September in Kingston.

“We have entered Briana Williams in the 100 m and the 4x100 m relay, subject of course to clearance,” Lincoln Eatmon, the second vice president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), told a news conference in Kingston.

“Jonielle Smith is the reserve for the 100 m and is a part of the 4x100 m relay pool,” he added.

Double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson and three-times 100 m world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who are both set to contest the 100 m, 200 m and sprint relay, headline Jamaica’s team for the global championships, which get underway on 27 September.

With Danielle Williams winning the 100 m hurdles Diamond Trophy to secure a wildcard entry to the world championships, the JAAA has named four athletes to contest the sprint hurdles, with Janeek Brown, Megan Tapper and Yanique Thompson completing the line-up.

Akeem Bloomfield, who only contested the 200 m at the Jamaican trials in June but finished third in the 400 m final at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Brussels in a time of 44.67 seconds, will contest one-lap event in Doha.

Diamond League finalist Nathon Allen, who also missed the trials due to illness, has been named as a reserve for the 400 m.

Yohan Blake, 100 m world Champion in 2011, and Omar Mcleod, the defending sprint hurdles champion, headline the men’s team, which also includes Commonwealth discus champion Fedrick Dacres.