Adidas suspends Tyson Gay deal after positive dope test

Adidas has suspended its sponsorship deal with American sprinter Tyson Gay just hours after previously saying it would wait for more details about the athlete failed a drugs test.

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Gay could lose deals with sponsors Adidas and Omega if found guilty of taking drugs.

The former world champion and joint fastest man ever 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.

The sports brand had pledged earlier today to wait until hearing the results from the second test before making a call on its tie-up with the athlete. However, it has since moved to distance itself from Gay amid the furore around the revelations.

In a statement a spokesman said: ”We are shocked by these recent allegations, and even if we presume his innocence until proven otherwise, our contract with Tyson is currently suspended.

“Adidas has a clear policy on doping and drug use ­ each of the agreements with our athletes include a clear clause which states that the agreement shall be terminated by Adidas if the athlete is found guilty of the possession or use of drugs or any other prohibited substance by the relevant governing sports body having jurisdiction over the athlete.”

Gay’s other sponsors Omega 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.

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