Sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown suspended amid probe

Kingston, Jamaica: Veronica Campbell-Brown’s agent insists one of the cornerstones of Jamaica’s wide-ranging sprint success “is not a cheat,” even though the test results read differently.

While her case is being decided, the three-time Olympic gold medallist will sit out and her country will try to make sense of one of its longest-held fears: a high-profile track star getting busted for doping.

Campbell-Brown, or “VCB” as she’s simply known in sprinting circles, tested positive for a banned diuretic at a meet in May and will serve a suspension while anti-doping officials rule on the positive drug test, island track officials announced on Tuesday.

After days of swirling rumours, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association said the 2004 and 2008 Olympic champion at 200 metres was suspended from competition while a disciplinary panel reviews the case. They said the matter is being handled according to rules of track’s international governing body, the Iaaf.

Iaaf spokesman Nick Davies did not return messages left by The Associated Press.

Warren Blake, president of the Jaaa, said Campbell-Brown voluntarily withdrew herself from competition and accepted a provisional suspension, which means she’ll miss this week’s national championships in Kingston.

Campbell-Brown’s manager, Claude Bryan, said the accusation came as a “shock to her” and the 31-year-old champion is determined to clear her name.

“Veronica is not a cheat, she has, via hard work and dedication, accomplished a record on the track which is absolutely remarkable,” Bryan said in a statement.

He said Campbell-Brown will not speak publicly during the disciplinary process in Jamaica but does not accept “guilt of wilfully taking a banned substance.” Bryan said she is apologising to her fans, sponsors and others for any embarrassment or hurt this “devastating news has caused.”

Growing up in the same parish as Jamaica’s biggest track star, Usain Bolt, Campbell-Brown has long been considered one of the glamour runners in a country that produced enough talent to win 28 medals over the past three Olympics — 12 last year, 11 in 2008 and five in 2004. The 2008 haul included Campbell-Brown’s defense of her 2004 title in the 200 metres. Campbell-Brown also won gold in the 4x100 relay at the Athens Games.