The Jamaican Observer is reporting that the athlete could be back competing as early as next week after the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) agreed to lessen the ban he received when he tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine during the Jamaican National Championships last June.

Powell was expected to compete at the American Track League in Houston, Texas on Friday (June 6) but could not do so as the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) did not sign the required agreement in time.

Although the reason for this is unknown, the national agency is expected to sign this week, leaving the athlete free to compete again, including at the National Trials at the end of this month, which mean he could qualify at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

It is understood that Sherone Simpson will also have her suspension cut ©Getty Images


Reports also suggest that the same rule will apply to the ban on Powell's compatriot Sherone Simpson, who is suspended for the same length of time for testing positive for the same drug.

Both athletes launched appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last month, with one-day hearings expected to take place before the end of this week.

Since returning positive doping test results, Powell and Simpson have blamed their Canadian trainer Christopher Xuereb for providing supplements that contained traces of the substance - a claim he has denied.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2014: Powell launches appeal to CAS to reduce doping ban to three months
April 2014: Former world 100 metres record holder banned for 18 months for doping
April 2014: Jamaican Olympic champion Simpson given 18-month doping ban
January 2014: Jamaican sprinter Powell claims drugs came from trainer as doping trial gets underway
July 2013: Olympic sprinters Gay and Powell fail doping tests