Dominique Blake loses appeal on doping violation

Kingston (Jamaica): Suspended Jamaican 400 metres runner Dominique Blake is yet to decide if she will take her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) after her appeal was turned down against her six-year ban for a second doping violation.

A six-member appeal tribunal headed by Justice Howard Cooke handed down the ruling after three days of submissions by Blake and her lawyer Patrick Foster, reports CMC. But the 26-year-old was successful in having her ban made retroactive to June 24, 2012, instead of when it was handed down on June 13, 2013. “When we get the reason in writing I’ll advice her on the best course of action. But I need the opportunity to speak with client, and discuss the issue further”, said Patrick Foster. Blake was banned with immediate effect in June for testing positive for the banned substance, methylhexanamine, at the Jamaica National Championships in 2012. She admitted to the doping charges but explained that she didn’t intend to use the substance. IANS