KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has ordered that the Jamaica Anti-doping Commission (JADCO) pay all costs involved in the Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson hearing following a reduction in the athletes’ bans to six months.
“CAS has not just reduced the sentences of both athletes but it also awarded all costs associated with arbitration for the CAS hearing as well as additional monies in legal fees to be paid by JADCO. It is believed to be one of the largest awards in the history of CAS,” a release Monday from Powell’s publicist Tara Playfair-Scott said.
A JADCO Disciplinary Panel banned both athletes for 18 months in January this year after they tested positive for the prohibited substance Oxilofrine in June 2013.
Simpson and Powell challenged the decision in an appeal to CAS, arguing that the penalty handed down exceeded the nature of the offence.
CAS, an international appeals body, agreed with the case put forward by the lawyers representing the athletes, and chopped the sanction to six months commencing June 21, 2013.
Playfair-Scott tweeted Monday that justice has been served after a lengthy affair with JADCO.
She tweeted: “was a long road but in the end this was how it was supposed to be. ALL costs + extra for legal fees awarded. A statement was made! #justice”.
Attorney for both athletes Paul Greene said: “The nearly historic cost that JADCO will be required to pay is a sign from the CAS that JADCO’s failures in handling their cases are unacceptable.”
Since June 2014, the elite sprinters were given a temporary stay of execution and were free to compete after their respective applications to CAS.