WADA confirms banned drug found in Jamaican sprinters' 2008 samples

The revelation was contained in an expose by German broadcaster ARD, which revealed that “several urine samples from Jamaican athletes” turned up positive for clenbuterol during the retesting process for the Games, where the Caribbean nation won 11 medals in sprint events.

ARD says the International Olympic Committee was aware of the clenbuterol results but opted against taking any further action.

WADA has now explained, via a statement in response to the ARD revelations, that the levels discovered were within the range which can be caused by eating contaminated meat. This is known to be a potential problem in China, where the Games were held.

“We acknowledge that the clenbuterol meat contamination issue is unsatisfactory,” said Olivier Niggli, WADA’s director general.

“Accordingly, since 2011, the Agency has carried out several research studies aimed at providing analytical means to distinguish ingestion of clenbuterol by pharmacological origin versus that of meat contamination.

“We will continue to invest in scientific research to try to solve this issue as quickly as possible. However, in the meantime, we maintain that disciplinary proceedings against athletes with low level urinary concentrations, from countries known for significant risk of exposure, would have little to no prospect of success; and, would be very unfair to the athletes concerned.”