This archive report was first published on 28 August 2019.
August 28, 2019
Double world under-20 sprint champion Briana Williams is facing a doping test controversy after reportedly testing positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) ahead of the World Championships in Doha.
The 17-year-old Jamaican sprinter initially failed the doping test after the National Senior Championships between June 20-23, where she placed third in the 100 meters to secure a spot in the national team for the World Championships.
According to The Gleaner, Williams' 'B' sample reportedly confirmed the presence of the substance, which her team claims was due to a contaminated cold and flu medication that she had declared on her testing protocol form.
"Our primary position will be that Ms Williams bears no fault in the circumstances and there should be no sanctions levied against her. That will be our primary position," said Emir Crowne, Williams' representative.
Williams' team sent the medication to be tested independently in the USA, where it was confirmed that it was contaminated with traces of the banned diuretic.
Williams, who was just 16 when she won the 100m and 200m at last year's World Under-20 Championships in Tampere, is set to learn her fate on September 6 when the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) names its team for Doha.
