Dunkley

SPRINTER JULIEN Dunkley says he is happy that the ordeal he faces regarding the positive test of his 'A' sample at the National Championships will affect him and not the entire 4x100m relay team at the Olympic Games.

Speaking to KLAS Sports Radio yesterday from his North Carolina home, Dunkley, 32, said while he did not knowingly take any drugs ahead of the Championships in June, testing positive at the Olympics would have been worse as it could have meant not only hurting himself but also Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Dwight Thomas, the other members named to the team.

"I am happy that it is happening by myself and not as a member of the 4x100m team," Dunkley, whose ticket to the Olympic Games was cancelled after it was revealed that he tested positive for a banned substance.

"Even though I know that I did not knowingly take any performance-enhancing drugs ahead of the Championships," he said.

According to Dunkley, who said he heard of the positive test via the media and was later told by Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) that he would not be making the trip, he suffered an injury leading up to the Championships and requested permission from the JAAA to take a medication.

Permission

He said permission was granted and it was not until last week that he heard, via the media, that he tested positive for a banned substance - a situation that is deeply hurt about. Media reports have named the substance as the anabolic steroid, boldenone.

"It is hard to accept something that I did not do. If I know I did it, I would say okay, I got caught and move on," said Dunkley.

"As far as I am concerned, I was not told I could not take my medication. Two weeks before the trials I twisted my thigh. I have X-rays to prove that something (the injury) happened to me. I told and declared it (the situation) to the JAAA. If I knew the medication was on the banned list, I would not have taken it," he said.

Dunkley, who would have appeared in his first Olympic Games had he not tested positive, says he is now considering his next move.

"I can't say much as it relates to my next move (legally or otherwise). I will have to await the 'B' sample and then pursue whatever moves necessary to clear my name," he said.

Dunkley is expected to be replaced on the team by former Kingston College sprinter Andre Wellington, who finished seventh at the National Championships.