IAAF suspend Fraser as she tests positive for painkiller

The Jamaican claims she neglected to list the treatment on a doping form. She has been provisionally suspended by the IAAF pending a hearing.

"I have nothing to hide," a defiant Fraser said after withdrawing from the Lausanne Diamond League meeting.

The positive test was triggered by her failure to list on a doping form at May's Shanghai Diamond League meeting a painkiller she was given by her coach for a three-day-old severe tooth pain, the 2008 Beijing gold medallist said.

"I will go home and have a hearing before my federation in Jamaica," she added. "I hope they will accept my explanation."

Both her agent and coach confirmed the sprinter's suspension.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said they were still waiting for the case to be concluded, but based on the explanation provided by Fraser and her agent they were "disappointed with her carelessness."

Davies said: "Athletes must pay more attention to what they ingest as our rules are clear."

Fraser, a role model for Jamaican youth, said she had been stunned by the positive test.

"I take some responsibility because athletes are supposed to be responsible for what they take," she said.

"But I am upset because everybody is starting to assume I am taking drugs. My reputation is ruined somewhat."

Her coach, Stephen Francis, said the punishment for such a violation usually is a public warning.

"It is not a performance-enhancing substance nor a masking agent," the coach said.

Fraser was notified of the positive test about three weeks ago and told on Thursday she had been provisionally suspended, her agent, Adrian Laidlaw, said. Only her "A" sample has been tested, Fraser said. "There is no need to test (the "B" sample] because I don't appeal."

She said she had three teeth filled in Jamaica before flying to Shanghai and had sought help from medical and meeting officials for resulting pain.

The president of Fraser's track club, Bruce James, said: "The up and down in pressure (during the flight] caused the pain to go from terrible to unbearable."

When their medication did not ease the hurt, she had thought of withdrawing from the Shanghai race, she said. But she claimed Francis persuaded her to take a painkiller he was taking for kidney stones.

According to Fraser, the medication eased the pain, but it caused her to feel weak and run slower.

She ran a sluggish race, finishing second as Carmelita Jeter of the United States surged past her. "It actually makes you perform more slowly, it makes you nauseous, lethargic and tired," said James.

"It's a sad and unfortunate oversight on her part."

This argument was backed up by Laidlaw.

"She forgot to put it on the form," added the agent.

"It's like the kid going into a test and forgetting a pen. Do I punish you for leaving your pen? In effect, you punished yourself, put yourself at a disadvantage. It's in that context I view what took place. ...

"She's like, 'Here I am being penalised for something that made me run slow.'

"From a perception standpoint, she was concerned. But sometimes there are certain rules where people become a victim of a rule. All we can do is hope that good sense prevails."

Fellow Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell hopes his compatriot's failed test is "not a big deal".

Asked about the news at a press conference in Gateshead yesterday morning, Powell, who shares a coach with Fraser, said: "I heard about it an hour ago because I woke up an hour ago, so I haven't heard much, I don't know what exactly it is. I have heard it is not a big deal. I woke up an hour ago and that's when I heard. After this press conference, I will call her - if she's up.

"It's very sad. It's sad that it's happening to someone in my camp - it will still be sad no matter who it was."

Fraser is the latest Jamaican athlete to fall foul of the rules, but Powell is confident the message is getting across. He said: "I don't know, I am getting the message.

"Everyone has to be careful in this sport, no matter who you are. Any little thing can turn out to be a big thing."

Fraser became the first Jamaican woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the 100 metres sprint and led a Jamaican sweep of the women's 100 metres medals a day after compatriot Usain Bolt broke the world record in winning the men's 100m crown.

The Olympic gold medal was her first major title. She followed on from her Beijing success by picking up the world title in Berlin in 2009 and a further gold medal in the 4x100m relay.z