Briana Williams reprimanded, free to compete
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Briana Williams has been given the all-clear to compete by the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (IADP), which handed down a verdict in her doping case this afternoon.
The panel ordered that the 17-year-old double Under-20 World champion, who was found to have the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide in her system when she was tested at the Jamaica National Senior Championships (Trials) in June, be reprimanded without any period of ineligibility.
It however recommended that Williams undergoes another education programme on Anti-Doping in Sport Rules as soon as the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission carries out another workshop.
Williams is said to have declared taking a cold medicine, Pharma Cold and Flu, during the Jamaican Championships, which was given to her by her mother Sharon Simpson.
The IADP, in its verdict, said it finds that she “has established no significant fault or negligence as she was given the tablets by her guardian and had no intention to cheat…”.
Williams, who is widely considered one of the most exciting track and field prospects, clocked a personal best and Jamaican National Junior record of 10.94 seconds to finish third at the trials to provisionally earn a place on Jamaica’s team to the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, which starts on Friday.