2 months ago
21
NOTED SPORTS medicine specialist Dr Paul Wright feels the career of Ronald Levy may very well be over and doesn’t believe that there can be any excuse for the types of drug the hurdler was banned for.
The former Commonwealth Games gold medallist was slapped with a four-year ban by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) in a ruling dated August 21. Levy tested positive for the banned substances GW501516-Sulfoxide and GW501516-Sulfone during an out-of-competition test on October 9, 2023.
According to Wright, there are no levels of those drugs being in the body that are acceptable, especially given how bad the side effects of taking them can be.
“The liver and the heart is where it attacks the most. It’s a very tricky situation because I don’t think anybody established what the optimum dose of these medications to take is. Therefore, there is no excuse for an athlete who tests positive for this drug,” said Wright.
The doctor went on to explain the history of the drug on the banned substance list.
“In the 1990s they started experimenting with these drugs because it was found out that people who suffered from diabetes and high levels of cholesterol in their blood could reduce their cholesterol and assist in the treatment of diabetes. However, during these tests it was found when giving animals these drugs certain organs started developing cancer and then it was immediately withdrawn.
“However, athletes discovered that if it is used in small quantities, the sports-performance medicine is tremendous. This is because you’re able to burn fat and increase endurance, therefore your body mass becomes leaner and is better able to compete against other athletes,” he explained.
Levy, who is a three-time national champion and a former Olympic bronze medallist, shared at the time of the pending ban that he was “stunned” and didn’t knowingly take any banned substances.
“I am stunned at the turn of events because I have always conducted myself with the highest level of integrity in the sport, which I love dearly, and would never seek to gain an unfair advantage. I intend to defend my integrity during this process because I am certain I did not knowingly breach the rules,” he had stated.
Levy, now 31-years old, could make a return to the sport at age 35, but Dr Wright believes it is curtains closed on his career.
“It’s hard to come back at 35 and compete against Grant Holloway, Rasheed Broadbell, and these guys. He’s come a cropper of the rules of doping in sports, and he is facing the penalty,” Dr Wright remarked.
Still, Levy has the right to appeal the ban and can take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The athlete is yet to say what his next course of action will be.
English (US) ·