Adidas stands by Tyson Gay for now despite positive drugs test
Adidas is sticking by American 100m record holder Tyson Gay for the moment despite the sprinter testing positive for a banned substance.
The former world champion and joint fastest man ever over 100m was found by doping officials to have a banned stimulant in his system during a drugs test in May. Gay, who has promoted himself as an anti-drug athlete in the past, announced the findings yesterday (14 July) and said he will have his “B” sample tested soon, possibly as early as this week.
Top sponsor Adidas says it will await the outcome of the second test before making a formal statement on its future with the athlete. The company says it takes “these allegations very seriously” and has a “clear doping policy with our athletes”.
Gay’s other sponsors Gillete and TDK were unable to provide updates on their deals before this article was published.
Fellow sprinter Asafa Powell, the all-time fourth quickest over 100m, was also revealed to have taken illegal stimulants. The sprinter, who tested positive for a banned substance at June’s Jamaican Championships, has deals with GSK and Chinese sports brand Li Ning. Both brands were unable to provide responses to the findings before this article was published.
