Current American 100 meter record-holder, Tyson Gay, has tested positive for a banned substance. As a result, he has decided to withdraw from the World Championships in Moscow this August.
The sprinter was informed Friday by the U.S Anti-Doping Agency that his A sample from an out-of-competition drug test on May 16 came back positive. Gay has also chosen to pull out of a race in Monaco, and instead fly to Colorado to be present for the testing of his B sample at the USADA headquarters.
On Sunday, Gay told the Associated Press, “I don’t have a sabotage story. I don’t have any lies. I don’t have anything to say to make this seem like it was a mistake or it was on USADA’s hands, someone playing games. I don’t have any of those stories. I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down.”
He also said he would take his punishment “like a man.”
Gay had prided himself as a clean competitor and was even featured in the USADA campaign “My Victory” a few years ago. The campaign had different athletes explain why they chose to compete clean. In his video, Gay said he competes clean because he “believes in fairness.”
After seasons of hamstring and groin ailments, as well as hip surgery in 2011, Gay was having a healthy season. Most recently, Gay won the Lausanne 100 meter, giving more excitement to the Worlds and another chance for Gay to strive for a win against Usain Bolt.
During the 2012 Summer Olympic Games Gay placed 4th in the 100 meter race and received his only Olympic medal, a silver in the 4×100 meter relay race.
Gay is one of many who have tested positive for a banned substance this year. Jamaican Sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson have also just been informed they tested positive for a banned substance at the Jamaican championships.