Jodee Brown
A day before the start of the 2019 IAAF World Championships, rising Jamaican phenom, Briana Williams, will indeed be heading to Qatar after she was reprimanded with no period of ineligibility following a positive test for a banned diuretic in June.
Williams tested positive for the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and faced hearings with the Independent Anti-Doping Panel (IADP) to determine whether or not she showed negligence or was at fault for the substance being in her system.
However, it was determined that the 17-year-old sprinter had no intention to cheat as she had been given medication to combat a cold which contained the HCTZ. The test was conducted during the national championships, where Williams had been battling flu symptoms.
A statement released on Thursday by the panel read in part, “The IADP finds that the athlete has established no significant fault or negligence as she was given tablets by her guardian and had no intention to cheat in her In-Competition sprint event on June 21, 2019. The IADP was referred to article 10.5.1.1 of the Anti-Doping In Sport Rules and this is relied on in its findings.”
Williams was primarily represented by international sports lawyer, Dr. Emir Crowne, who practices in Canada and Trinidad & Tobago.
An overjoyed Williams thanked her fans on her Instagram story for their support throughout her ordeal and that she’s excited to be heading to Doha.
This will be the first-ever senior world championship appearance for Williams.
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