Briana cleared to compete, but withdraws from team
An Independent Disciplinary Panel reprimanded Jamaican sprinting sensation Briana Williams with no period of ineligibility imposed for a failed drug test at the Jamaican National Championships in June; but nine hours following the decision on Thursday, Williams decided to withdraw from the Jamaica team to the IAAF World Championship as it was too late for her to travel and join the team here in Doha.
Jonielle Smith was named the replacement for Williams by the Jamaica team and she has been training with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson for the 4x100m relays during the last few days in Doha.
“I have decided to forego competing at the World Championships considering the long trip to Doha and that the team has already started training for the relays. I am just relieved and thankful after what has been a very emotional summer”, said Williams in an interview.
“I would like to once again express my gratitude to everyone right across Jamaica who reached out to show support. I look forward to returning to the track for the 2020 season. Hopefully, I still have a chance to make the trip to Doha to watch Jamaica compete. I would like to wish all our athletes and coaches the very best”, said Williams, who is likely to fly down here as a spectator.
Williams, 17, had tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) that was said to be contained in Pharma Cold & Flu tablets her mother bought at a pharmacy in Kingston. She had contracted the flu while competing at the championships and had taken the tablets on the morning of Friday, June 21, the same day she competed in the 100m finals.
Williams, who won the Pan Am U20 and NACAC U18 titles this season, said she will now turn her focus to the coming season when she will concentrate on making her national team to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Williams rose to fame after winning the World Junior 100m title last year as a 17-year old, where she holds the world youth record for the 100m with a time of 10.94 seconds.
