INTRODUCTION

DRUGS IN SPORTS
THE EFFECT OF IMPROVEMENTS IN DRUG TESTING ON TRACK AND
FIELD ALTHLETES IN JAMAICA

In August 2013 all Jamaicans turned to the staging of the World Athletic
Championship. Jamaican pride and celebration extended throughout
towns and cities as athletes such as Shelly- Ann Fraser- Price and Usain
Bolt carried home Gold. Just before this staging, however, Jamaicans
had also shown outrage and disappointment in the positive drug tests
of their own highly decorated athletes; nationally and internationally.
Three athletes still in the media for positive drug tests were a shocking
start to these games but none- the- less the eligible athletes carried on
the baton.

Athletes such as Veronica Campbell-Brown, Asafa Powell and Sherone

Simpson provided international critics, with a bias, ground for
judgment of Jamaican track and field success. Disappointment spread
throughout the Jamaican population and also through me. This is the
reason for choosing this topic in particular for my portfolio. Many
questions are now raised as to the performance of Jamaican athletes.
Many critics would like to know whether this success is due to natural

ability, poor testing facilities in Jamaica or the work of some master

scientist who is proficient in the art of camouflage.

It is the second jump at 2.10m and the green and black of my school
was waving directly across from the high jump apron, which I was now
at. The competition had been easy up to this point and would only get
harder. The London College student, Michael, was in his purple and
white bodysuit and had just cleared the height. The pressure was now
on me. This pressure now only added to my guilt especially since I was
now slated to make another jump. I had to focus as I ran up to the bar
and, Yes!, I made the jump. As the bar rose to the next height so did
my anxiety. I looked at the other athletes so proudly displaying their
school colours and more than likely not carrying the burden that I am.
The coach assured me nothing would happen; nothing was wrong. This
would ensure my future he said but I dont know if my heart will
survive that long.
The athletes dropped out one by one but luckily I still remained. The
cheers were getting louder from the stands where the green and black
flags were now caressing the air above the National Stadium. The
green and black sea of people in the stands was now echoing
TORONTO COLLEGE!. TORONTO! pierced my mind and I knew I had
to win. If they ever found out I would be a pariah in the school and
probably banned from athletics forever. I could not continue to think

this because I am left in the competition with the London College

athletes.
2.14m, 2.16m, and 2.19m and Michael and I were the only ones left in
the competition. I should not be nervous since I have the advantage
but I could not help but think that it was an unfair one. I was scheduled
to jump again. I did not clear it and my heart becomes my enemy. I
have two more tries but I am more nervous now than ever. This was
not helped because Michael had cleared it in the one jump. It would be
hilarious if I found out Michael and I was in the same boat because he
was doing unusually well.
Ironically Coach Blue signaled to me at that moment. A wah do yuh
bwoi, dont waste mi efforts enuhFOCUS man!. All I could say is Ye
man, Coach although what I really needed was reassurance; some
form of justification. The screams of the purple and white supporters
were deafening since they were closer to area of the high jump. Not
only once did I hear them chanting DROP!, DROP!, DROP!, while I
was jumping. They dont really matter though because they would hate
me either way. It was my supporters that I couldnt bear to disappoint.
It was my supporters who were sincerely cheering me on.
My Coach told me to relax and make sure I dont Mash up di school
chance.. and that is what I am going to do. I plugged in my
headphones and began listening to some Sizzla. They couldnt Keep a
good man down and that is what I am. I went into the attempt at the

height with this in mind. I was fully charged. When I took off the
headphones the roars swam through my ears. I was ready. Seas of
different colours and different pitches of vuvuzellas were sounding
throughout the stadium. This is what I am here for and I am going to
win. I am going to win for my family, my coach, my school and myself!
My new focus was novelty and I thought no more of my deviance. I was
there to win this championship. I got ready for the next jump and did
not look at Michael who was warming up. I had seen him earlier talking
to his coach and for a second I could swear they were staring at me.
Did they know? I thought. Of course not they could not know.
I went in for the jump and the crowd began clapping at a slow pace. As
I approached the bar the clapping increased in tempo; I was feeling the
energy of the crowd and my surroundings. AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!.... ,
echoed around the stadium. I had made the jump! I could not contain
myself. Everything was working out perfectly!
The purple and whites of London College were not looking as esthetic.
They had a controlled focus on their faces but I was beaming with too
much energy to care. He then went to make the jump. His supporters
mimicked the clapping rhythm that I had just a second ago received.
He ran up to the bar and went into the air for the jump. He dropped the
bar! I WON! I WON! I was running all over the place; jumping and
screaming. I got hugs and congratulations from all angles but I
couldnt tell from whom. All I remember hearing was someone telling

me I made it pass the CARIFTA trials and I was so happy; for a moment.
At this point I realized I wasnt caught in Jamaica, but CARIFTA might
not be s easy to fool- I should not have taken the performance
enhancing drugs.