The Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel found the 29-year-old, who won 4x100 metres relay gold at Athens 2004 and silver in the same event at London 2012, as well as 100m silver in Beijing 2008, was "negligent in all the circumstances".

She had claimed a supplement given to her by her Canadian trainer was responsible for the positive test.

Simpson's positive sample for oxilofrine was given after a race at last year's Jamaican World ChampionshipTrials.

The Panel also banned Olympic discus thrower Allison Randall for two years for failing a drugs test at the Trials.

Randall, who holds the Jamaican discus record with a distance of 61.21 metres, tested positive for diuretic hydro-chlorothiazide, which reduces blood volume.

Both bans have been backdated to June 21 last year, when the samples were given.

The athletes were among five who tested positive at the National Championships.

Allison Randall, who holds the Jamaican discus record, competed at the London 2012 Olympics but failed to qualify for the final ©AFP/Getty Images



Asafa Powell, who was among the five, is set to hear his verdict on Thursday (April 10).

Like Simpson, he also tested positive for oxilofrine.

On the decision to ban Simpson, Panel member Lennox Gayle, said: "Miss Simpson has admitted the anti-doping violation.

"Now having listened and reviewed all the evidence and listened to the detailed submissions of councils, this panel is unanimously of the view that Ms Simpson was negligent in all the circumstances as an elite athlete and as such, the period of ineligibility will be 18 months."

Simpson's agent Paul Doyle has claimed she will launch an appeal.

"We feel that this ruling is incredibly unjust and we will be appealing to the Court of Arbitration of Sport immediately," he said.

"The case in our opinion should be very straight forward.

"Sherone took a legal supplement that was contaminated with oxilofrine.

"Two different labs that we commissioned to test the supplement both determined that oxilofrine was present and that it was not declared on the label."

He added: "The fact that the panel has given 18 months suspension and have provided no explanation as to why is unacceptable in our opinion.

"As a result, we will be seeking justice instead from the Court of Arbitration of Sport."

Simpson and Randall will both miss the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer as a result of the bans.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
March 2014: Jamaican doping whistleblower claims cheating in elite sport "rampant"
March 2014: Jamaican whistle-blower fired by anti-doping agency
January 2014: I never intentionally took banned substance, insists Jamaican sprinter Simpson during hearing
October 2013: Jamaica anti-doping programme set to be investigated by WADA
July 2013: Olympic sprinters Gay and Powell fail doping tests