Tyson Gay Tests Positive For Banned Substance, Won’t Race At World Championships In Moscow

Tyson Gay tested positive for a banned substance and will not be racing at the World Championships in Moscow next month.

Gay, who holds the American record for the 100-meter sprint, said that he was notified by the United States Anti-Doping Agency last week about a failed drug test.

In an interview with the NY Times, Gay said: “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.”

The USADA said that one of Gay’s samples resulted in a positive test on May 16. Gay will now fly to Colorado to be on hand when the USADA runs more extensive tests on the sample.

Gay, who recently won the 100 and the 200 at Nationals last month, setting the second fastest 100 time in the world in the process, was set to race at the World Championships next month in Moscow. Gay, who was expected to challenge Usain Bolt, has pulled out of the competition.

Gay didn’t go into details about what substance he was using or why he tested positive but he did say that he didn’t knowingly take a banned substance.

The athlete said that he will accept whatever punishment the USADA hands down saying that it is ultimately his responsibility to decide what goes into his body.

Gay said: “I will take whatever punishment I get like a man. I do realize and respect what I put in my body and it is my responsibility.v I’m going to be honest with USADA, about everything, everybody I’ve been with, every supplement I’ve ever taken, every company I’ve ever dealt with, everything.”

Are you surprised that Tyson Gay tested positive for a banned substance?

If you’re a fan of the American sprinter you might recall that Gay participated in the USADA’s “My Victory” program a few years ago. The program featured world class athletes talking about the importance of fair competition.

Gay said: “I compete clean because I really believe in fairness, and besides that, my mom would kill me! Just being honest.”

[Image Via Wiki]