BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A release from the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC) claims that the decision taken to withdraw the Federation’s top female sprinter, Tameka Williams, from participating in the London 2012 Olympic was based on her admission of using a substance that falls outside the internationally accepted Medical Code.
Some 24 hours after taking part in the prestigious 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony and marching with pride alongside her fellow athletes, the 22-year-old Williams, self-named ‘Madam Speedy’, had her dreams shattered when told that she was no longer a member of the Federation’s Olympic Team and would have to return to her homeland.
The release stated that “in discussion with team management, Ms. Williams volunteered information to the effect that she has been using a substance which the SKNOC considers to fall outside the internationally accepted Medical Code”.
It also stated that all the necessary bodies have been notified and the matter would be concluded pending further investigation.
Williams, however, on her Facebook page said, “Although results from a drug test in early June came back clean I was sent home due to false accusations. It's sad to see a 22-year-olds dreams washed away by people who don't believe in me. W/ no chance of a second drug test to prove my innocence I was dismissed. SKN I am not sorry for working hard all year and I have never taken illegal substances to enhance my performance or any thereof.”
The young athlete had her eyes set on medalling in the 100 and 200 metre races and was quite confident in her ability to make this dream a reality.
In a recent interview with the press, Williams said her hope at the Olympics is to make it to the finals, and if she could get there then what happens would happen because anything is possible.
“I’ve been having a good season so far and aim to keep on running,” she added.
Many people are questioning the SKNOC's decision and, on her Facebook page, Williams posted a comment made by her teammate Antoine Adams.
He stated that Williams had done nothing wrong and she admitted to taking a supplement that the SKNOC researched and suspected that it might have enhanced her performance.
“She admitted to taking it before nationals and within the last six months. However, she was tested before nationals and her tests came back clean. She was then tested again after nationals in Russia when she won the World Challenge 100m and her tests were clean.
“Tameka or nobody from Elite Performance is taking drugs to enhance performance. The supplement she took is not a banned substance but because the SKNOC and SKNAAA suspect the supplement to enhance performance, they removed her from the Olympic Team saying they do not want any surprises and they do not want to get embarrassed. Meaning that they suspect she is on something illegal.”
Adams also noted that the SKNOC did not give Williams a chance to be tested while in the Olympic Village.
“Here is another example of the association doing as they feel and not dealing with things in a proper way. As a friend and teammate I will have Tameka's back till the end. Anyone else is with me say "upstairs" We have to give the association a dose of their own medicine.”
Unconfirmed reports also surfaced that the SKN Olympians boycotted an event hosted in their honour by St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas.
It was said that the Prime Minister hosted a reception for the athletes at the St. Kitts-Nevis High Commission and the athletes, including Kim Collins, did not attend.
On his facebook wall Collins posted: “Tameka we missing you already!!!”
