LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) – Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson are free to compete again pending the outcome of their doping appeals.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said today it upheld the application for a “stay of the execution” of the 18-month suspensions imposed on Powell and Simpson by Jamaica’s anti-doping disciplinary panel.
The court says the runners “are free to compete from now on but may have to serve the remaining part of their ban later if the sanction is eventually confirmed by CAS”.
Powell, a former world record-holder in the 100 metres, and three-time Olympic medallist Simpson tested positive for Oxilofrine at Jamaica’s national trials last June.
Both runners appealed their sanctions to CAS, contending the offense was “minor” and asking for the suspensions to be cut to three months.
CAS says a hearing has been set for July 7-8.
