March 28, 2024

Olympic Sprinter Tyson Gay tested positive at US nationals

Sprinter Tyson Gay failed more than one drug test this year, recording one of his positives at the U.S. championships in June in Des Moines, where he won the 100 and 200 meters, The Associated Press learned Friday.

Earlier this month, Gay revealed he tested positive in an out-of-competition test he took May 16.

Three people familiar with the case told the AP that Gay had multiple positives this year. One of those people said one positive came at nationals and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has notified him of that result.

The people did not want their names used because the doping case against Gay is ongoing and the details have not been made public.

Gay’s representatives did not immediately respond to attempts by the AP to reach them.

The sprinter has already surrendered his spot at next month’s world championships. If a positive test from nationals is confirmed by his “B’’ sample, those results would be vacated, though it’s likely they would be anyway because of his May 16 positive. The May 16 test has been confirmed by a test of the “B’’ sample, one of the people familiar with the case said.

One person familiar with the case told the AP that multiple positives over a short period of time are a sign of an athlete who wasn’t trying to hide anything, but simply didn’t know he was taking a banned drug.

Gay is cooperating with USADA.

“The additional positive sample is consistent with him taking responsibility,” USADA CEO Travis Tygart said. “He should be commended for that and for removing himself from world championships, which we all should appreciate. The sample was expected, as he works with us for the fair resolution based on the rules, given the fact of his case.”

When Gay admitted to the earlier positive in a phone interview nearly two weeks ago, he fought back tears.

“I don’t have a sabotage story. I don’t have any lies. I don’t have anything to say to make this seem like it was a mistake or it was on USADA’s hands, someone playing games,” he said. “I don’t have any of those stories. I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down.”

Gay has been the most-watched U.S. male sprinter for the past several years and has long sold himself as a clean athlete.

The 30-year-old, who won the world championship in the 100, 200 and 400 relay in 2007, took part in USADA’s “My Victory” program — in which athletes volunteer for enhanced testing to prove they’re clean — and his results never raised red flags.

Until, that is, the out-of-competition test in May. Results came back positive for a banned substance, the identity of which he has not been revealed.