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Banned White to side with USADA to nail cheats
Paris, May 20: Banned Kelli White says she co-operate with United States Anti-Doping Agency.
Paris, May 20: Banned Kelli White says she co-operate with United States Anti-Doping Agency.
The athletics world was gripped by panic on Wednesday (May 19) after disgraced American sprinter Kelli White said she would co-operate with United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in its crusade to rid the sport of drug cheats.
The news that White had received a two-year suspension and been stripped of her 100 and 200 metre world championship gold medals after admitting using banned drugs was certain to have sent shudders through the athletics community.
The 27 year-old sprinter said, in a statement released through her attorney, that she expected other athletes would be charged as a result of a sweeping investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs and would, "assist USADA in its efforts to clean up track and field".
"I anticipate others will be charged but I really cannot say anything more at this time," said White. "I don't want to start pointing fingers at other athletes but I do feel this is a problem in sport everywhere.
"USADA is doing a lot. In the last several months many athletes, including myself, have received penalties.
"No athlete should feel the pressure to cheat or use drugs to compete here or overseas."
With the Athens Olympics now less than 90 days away, White's ominous warning and revelations could have a widespread affect on the Summer Games.
White represents a high-profile scalp for American anti-doping crusaders, underlining U.S. determination to send a clean team to Greece.
Evidence of White's rule violations was obtained, in part, by USADA from documents turned over by the Senate Commerce Committee following an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) believed to be at the heart of the steroid scandal.
As part of the investigation, several prominent Olympians, including White, triple Olympic champion Marion Jones and her partner 100 metres world record holder Tim Montgomery, were among those to testify before a federal grand jury.
White would not say from whom or how she received the drugs but hopes to have her ban reduced in exchange for helping U.S. Olympic authorities.
"The choice to co-operate is completely my own," said White. "I felt it was important to step up, accept responsibility and assist in cleaning up my sport.
"I have had a very difficult time since winning the world championships last August.
"With my suspension I now have time to re-evaluate my life, the choices I have made and the direction in which I would like to go.
"I love the sport of track and field and do intend to compete in the future.
"If I can make a difference in cleaning up the sport, then I will have done more for the sport than anything I could have done on 884the track.
"Although I am receiving a two-year suspension it could have been longer. I plan to apply for early reinstatement as provided under the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) rules."
White's lawyer Jerrold D Colton said in the statement: "Not only will Kelli be a witness in USADA'S proceedings as they go forward but she is also a federal witness."
He added that his client could receive protection from the U.S. Attorney's if her safety is "threatened or compromised in any way".
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and USA Track and Field (USATF) both said they backed USADA's efforts and were prepared for more bad news but wanted the situation resolved as quickly as possible.
"The USOC reiterates its strong support of USADA and its intention to have all cases connected to the BALCO Laboratories investigation resolved as quickly as possible and in accordance with the due process rights afforded to all athletes," said USOC chief executive Jim Scherr in a statement.
Bureau Report
"USADA is doing a lot. In the last several months many athletes, including myself, have received penalties.
"No athlete should feel the pressure to cheat or use drugs to compete here or overseas."
With the Athens Olympics now less than 90 days away, White's ominous warning and revelations could have a widespread affect on the Summer Games.
White represents a high-profile scalp for American anti-doping crusaders, underlining U.S. determination to send a clean team to Greece.
Evidence of White's rule violations was obtained, in part, by USADA from documents turned over by the Senate Commerce Committee following an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) believed to be at the heart of the steroid scandal.
As part of the investigation, several prominent Olympians, including White, triple Olympic champion Marion Jones and her partner 100 metres world record holder Tim Montgomery, were among those to testify before a federal grand jury.
White would not say from whom or how she received the drugs but hopes to have her ban reduced in exchange for helping U.S. Olympic authorities.
"The choice to co-operate is completely my own," said White. "I felt it was important to step up, accept responsibility and assist in cleaning up my sport.
"I have had a very difficult time since winning the world championships last August.
"With my suspension I now have time to re-evaluate my life, the choices I have made and the direction in which I would like to go.
"I love the sport of track and field and do intend to compete in the future.
"If I can make a difference in cleaning up the sport, then I will have done more for the sport than anything I could have done on 884the track.
"Although I am receiving a two-year suspension it could have been longer. I plan to apply for early reinstatement as provided under the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) rules."
White's lawyer Jerrold D Colton said in the statement: "Not only will Kelli be a witness in USADA'S proceedings as they go forward but she is also a federal witness."
He added that his client could receive protection from the U.S. Attorney's if her safety is "threatened or compromised in any way".
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and USA Track and Field (USATF) both said they backed USADA's efforts and were prepared for more bad news but wanted the situation resolved as quickly as possible.
"The USOC reiterates its strong support of USADA and its intention to have all cases connected to the BALCO Laboratories investigation resolved as quickly as possible and in accordance with the due process rights afforded to all athletes," said USOC chief executive Jim Scherr in a statement.
Bureau Report