FORMER national 400 metres runner Ian Morris is dissatisfied with the suspension given to young Trinidad and Tobago athlete Semoy Hackett who tested positive for methylhexamine at the National Track and Field Championship in September last year, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Methylhexamine is a stimulant which acts on the central nervous system to increase wakefulness, enhance cognitive function, cause alertness and euphoria.
The 24-year-old 100 metre sprinter was slapped with a six-month suspension, retroactive from the date of the positive test, September 16.
But Morris, who just missed out on an Olympic bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 said the athlete should have been given a life ban.
“I do not ever tolerate the use of drugs by any athlete because as far as I am concerned, once you do it once then you can do it again. To add, it cannot be fair to the other athletes that took part in the championship.”
Hackett, who won the 100 metres title at the stadium, was also stripped of all medals from September of last year to present.
It is understood Hackett has been told she still has to make the qualifying standard, if she is to run at the London Olympics.
Morris explained that the athlete will now be scrutinised very closely.
“She will be watched like a hawk when she takes the tracks again...although She really might be clean at (whatever) games,” Morris said.
The athletics coach explained that he accepts the decision of the National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAAs) to allow the athlete to try and make the qualifying standard for a second time if she wants to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Olympic Games in July-August.
Hackett’s explanation was that she accepted a drink from a friend and did not know that it contained the stimulant.
Morris said, “If it were up to me, she would not be running again.”
Meanwhile, another former Olympic athlete Candice Scott, who took part in the hammer throw, has described the incident as unfortunate.
“I am disheartened to know that she took a drink from someone. An athlete should know that they should not take drinks from other people like that. It’s like allowing someone to pack your suitcase before you go to the airport.”
Scott described the suspension as sufficient and called on Hackett not to allow the incident to deter her.
“She is a young runner with her entire career ahead of her and she has to get her life going again.
“She has been allowed to run again but she will be under the microscope when she steps back onto the tracks.”
The retired hammer thrower wants Hackett to be more diligent next time, saying ,“She has to prove herself on the tracks again.”
-Walter Alibey
Source: www.newsday.co.tt
FORMER national 400 metres runner Ian Morris is dissatisfied with the suspension given to young Trinidad and Tobago athlete Semoy Hackett who tested positive for methylhexamine at the National Track and Field Championship in September last year, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Methylhexamine is a stimulant which acts on the central nervous system to increase wakefulness, enhance cognitive function, cause alertness and euphoria.
The 24-year-old 100 metre sprinter was slapped with a six-month suspension, retroactive from the date of the positive test, September 16.
But Morris, who just missed out on an Olympic bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 said the athlete should have been given a life ban.
“I do not ever tolerate the use of drugs by any athlete because as far as I am concerned, once you do it once then you can do it again. To add, it cannot be fair to the other athletes that took part in the championship.”
Hackett, who won the 100 metres title at the stadium, was also stripped of all medals from September of last year to present.
It is understood Hackett has been told she still has to make the qualifying standard, if she is to run at the London Olympics.
Morris explained that the athlete will now be scrutinised very closely.
“She will be watched like a hawk when she takes the tracks again...although She really might be clean at (whatever) games,” Morris said.
The athletics coach explained that he accepts the decision of the National Association of Athletic Administration (NAAAs) to allow the athlete to try and make the qualifying standard for a second time if she wants to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Olympic Games in July-August.
Hackett’s explanation was that she accepted a drink from a friend and did not know that it contained the stimulant.
Morris said, “If it were up to me, she would not be running again.”
Meanwhile, another former Olympic athlete Candice Scott, who took part in the hammer throw, has described the incident as unfortunate.
“I am disheartened to know that she took a drink from someone. An athlete should know that they should not take drinks from other people like that. It’s like allowing someone to pack your suitcase before you go to the airport.”
Scott described the suspension as sufficient and called on Hackett not to allow the incident to deter her.
“She is a young runner with her entire career ahead of her and she has to get her life going again.
“She has been allowed to run again but she will be under the microscope when she steps back onto the tracks.”
The retired hammer thrower wants Hackett to be more diligent next time, saying ,“She has to prove herself on the tracks again.”