Powell, Simpson have bans reduced

Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson have had their 18-month drug suspensions cut to six months and are free to continue competing, according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

A Jamaican anti-doping disciplinary panel had suspended former 100m world record holder Powell and 2008 Olympic 100m silver medallist Simpson for 18 months after they had tested positive for the stimulant Oxilofrine at the 2013 Jamaican world championships trials.

The sprinters appealed and CAS granted a stay of the decision, allowing them to run beginning last month while it decided the case.

“The CAS decided to reduce their period of ineligibility to six months, which has been already served,” the global court said in a statement on its website adding that a reason for its decision would be announced in a few weeks.

Powell and Simpson, who had tested positive for a stimulant last year, both said they were elated with the decision.

“I feel total relief and that we have finally been vindicated,” Simpson said in a statement. “Our actions were not intentional and CAS has recognised that. I am truly thankful.”

Powell added: “I always felt that the 18 months was not in line with a first time positive test result and it being proven it came from a tainted supplement.”

Jamaican officials said they would abide by the decision.