Jamaica claims that its athletes have been unfairly targeted for drug testing at the just ended Carifta games in the Bahamas.
Head coach David Riley has complained about the frequency of the testing throughout the championship and says the way in which Jamaican athletes were treated was ‘unfortunate’.
Jamaica won 68 medals to cop their 29th consecutive title on the games, which they have dominated over the years.
“The continuous drug testing of our athletes was very unfortunate,” declared Riley.
“The continuous drug testing of our athletes was very unfortunate,” declared Riley.
“Our chef de mission had to take up residence at the entrance of the drug testing room because of the numerous occasions our athletes were called up to do drug testing”.
Riley has also complained that several Jamaican athletes were awakened to do drug testing as early as 5.30 am.
He says Jamaica supports a random drug testing programme but feels athletes or countries ought not to be targeted.
“They are free to choose who they want to select, but the whole thing did not look to be random, because our athletes were targeted,” claims Riley.
“But we are not afraid of drug testing because we do drug testing in Jamaica, and the process is to find dishonest individuals, but we should do so randomly and not target a country or certain individuals”.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in congratulating Jamaica’s athletes said their success at Carifta underscores the excellence of the country’s sporting programmes.
By StabroekNews.com
