The former coach of Olympic gold medallist Tyson Gay Jon Drummond has been banned for eight years following a drugs charge.
The former USA sprinter has been punished by the US Anti-Doping Agency for the possession, trafficking and administration a banned steroid, which led to Tyson Gay’s one-year doping ban.
According to the USADA investigation, Drummond put Gay in contact with Dr. Clayton Gibson the man who provided the creams which contained banned substances
He and Gibson coerced a reticent Gay into using the creams, insisting they were 100% natural, despite the presence of DHEA and HGH, two substances on the WADA ban list. Drummond later admitted he knew the ingredients were not permissible.
“Coaches have an inherent responsibility to protect athletes – not take advantage of them – but to ensure that they receive the support, training and advice they need to win fairly and in accordance with the rules,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart
The sport of Athletics has distanced itself from the former Olympic gold medallist, with USADA banning Drummond from participating in any aspect, which includes training and advising athletes:
“Drummond’s sanction prohibits him from coaching, training or advising athletes and participating or coaching at any event sanctioned by USA Track & Field, the International Association of Athletics Federations or any other WADA Code signatory. This includes the U.S. Olympic, Pan American Games or Paralympic Games Trials, being a member of any U.S. Olympic, Pan American Games or Paralympic Team and having access to the training facilities of the USOC Training Centers or other programs and activities of the USOC including, but not limited to benefits, grants, awards or employment.”
Jon Drummond, 46, was a successful yet controversial athlete in his younger days. A key cog in the USA relay team, the sprinter won gold at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, and won two world championships.
However he caused quite a stir when he lay down on the track for nearly an hour in protest at the 2003 World Championships, after being disqualified for a false start.
Tyson Gay seems the victim in this story. Though now able to compete, Gay’s drugs ban has cost him dearly. As well as the irreparable damage the scandal has done to his reputation, The USA athlete’s races from July 2012 were voided, including his silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic games. Moreover, the charge has reportedly seen him lose around five million in dollars through sponsorships.
The crime carries a two-year ban, which was reduced to just one given Gay’s willingness to co-operate with the investigation.
When he tested positive for a banned substance, Gay said ‘I don’t have a sabotage story… I basically put my trust in someone and was let down.’, words whose meaning have become much clearer over the past few days.
