If U.S. sprinter Tyson Gay wants to watch the world championships next month, he will have to do it from home.
The American 100-meter record holder was notified last week that he tested positive for a banned substance. As a result, Gay has decided to withdraw from the world championships.
Gay told The Associated Press over the phone that the positive sample came from an out-of-competition test administered on May 16. He would not tell the AP what substance he tested positive for, but he did say that he will have a “B” sample looked at soon. He said he will also pull out of a meet in Monaco so he can be at the USADA headquarters when his new sample is tested.
When talking with the AP, Gay didn’t say he is innocent, but he did say that he trusted the wrong people. He refused to name those people during the conversation.
“My career and my name have always been better than medals or records or anything like that,” he said. “I’ve always wanted a clean name with anything. Unfortunately, I have to break this news, that I have a positive ‘A’ sample.
“I don’t have a sabotage story. I don’t have any lies. I don’t have anything to say to make this seem like it was a mistake or it was on USADA’s hands, someone playing games. I don’t have any of those stories. I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down.”
Gay was in the midst of a comeback after suffering from injuries to his hamstring and groin, along with undergoing hip surgery, ever since he became a triple world champion in 2007. Just as recently as last month he won two races at nationals, which signaled that Gay may be ready to compete at a top level once again.
Photo via Facebook/Tyson Gay Fan Page
