BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - KITTITIAN sprint icon Kim Collins has joined several world class athletes in showing their support for Veronica Campbell-Brown who recently tested positive for a diuretic during the May 4 Jamaica Invitational Meet.
Though Campbell-Brown or her management have yet to release a statement on the matter, Collins used the social network, twitter, to voice his support for his sprint colleague.
Collins tweeted: “My friend, we love you. Continue to hold your head high. This too, shall soon pass."
Several other well-known athletes have expressed surprise over and support for Campbell-Brown’s positive test for the banned substance.
Jamaican-born 400-metre Olympic Champion Sanya Richards-Ross of the United States said the news has been hard to believe.
Jamaican Minister with responsibility for Sports, Natalie Neita Headley said the government awaits the outcome of the process, but emphasised that the state remains proud of all of the nation’s athletes and encouraged them to remain focused on the upcoming National Junior and Senior Championships.
The diuretic for which Campbell-Brown, who trains in the US, tested positive is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency due to its ability to conceal the use of performance enhancing substances.
Campbell-Brown has won 16 Olympic and World Championship medals during her career, including consecutive Olympic gold medals over the 200 metres in 2004 and 2008, making her only the second woman in history to achieve that feat.
The 31-year old is also the reigning 200-metre World Champion and was preparing to defend her title at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, Russia.
Campbell- Brown faces a two-year ban from athletics if found guilty.
