By Ben Smith
Sprint star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce says she will refuse to run in
major events unless Jamaica’s athletics authorities “stand by” their
athletes.
A senior drug tester told the BBC this week that Jamaica’s recent
failed drug tests might be the “tip of an iceberg”.
But the 26-year-old World and Olympic 100m champion said the comments “hurt”.
“It is so important that our federation stands by our athletes. If
it’s down to making sure things are up to scratch, I would [refuse to
run],” she added.
Fraser-Pryce, who has been shortlisted for the International
Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) world athlete of the year
award, also said she was in advanced talks to set up a union in
Jamaica to give athletes a voice and to offer support and education
from 2014.
Speaking ahead of the World Athletics Gala in Monaco she told BBC
Sport: “If there are certain things that are not up to standard then
it [not running] is something you have to do. We believe we deserve to
have good things, not to have our name tarnished at a time when we are
doing so well.
“It is so important that our federation stands by our athletes, not
says the kind of things they say about our athletes.
“We need a voice to be able to stand up and say ‘you can’t say these
things without having proof’. We have come so far in athletics in our
country but we are still stagnant in other areas.”
When asked specifically about the “tip of the iceberg” comment,
Fraser-Pryce added: “That is exactly what I am saying. If you are
Jamaican and make a statement like that then those things are
hurtful.”
In 2010, Fraser-Pryce was banned for six months following a positive
drugs test. She claimed oxycodone was in her system as a result of
medication for toothache.
Six Jamaican athletes have tested positive this year, but Fraser-Pryce
claims the country does not have a doping problem.
“We don’t have a doping issue – we are tested wherever we go,” she said.
“There is no one in Jamaica saying ‘let’s dope up to run fast’. That
is just not true. Where we have issues is with our young athletes who
are getting involved in doping issues because nobody is there to give
guidance.
“We are doing very well for our country internationally but when we
are in Jamaica our athletes are not being looked after. We are selling
our country and marketing our country to the word and not being paid
for it.
“Why aren’t we getting the support we deserve? A lot of our young
athletes are struggling back in Jamaica. They are not able to get the
medical attention they need, they are not able to eat properly.
“We are treated sometimes unfairly. It is almost as if they (the
federation) don’t believe we are world class athletes. We are
international athletes and we should be treated that way. We should be
able to say that if things don’t go our way we will not be running.”
Fraser-Pryce has enjoyed another incredible year of success, adding
three world championship titles, in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay,
to the one gold and two silver medals she won in those events at the
2012 Olympics. But she rejected any suggestions that Jamaica’s doping
problems had overshadowed her success.
“I don’t think it has cast any shadow over my achievements,” she said.
“It can get discouraging at times. Of course it is something I hope
will get better. As athletes our job is to train and compete. There is
nothing for me to hide.” – BBC Sport
