The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has confirmed that top Jamaican 400 metre runner, Christopher Taylor, has been charged by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for reportedly violating a World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Anti-Doping Code.
Charges were levied against the former Calabar High star athlete after a six-month long investigation which found that Taylor “evaded” a doping test last November.
When contacted Friday morning, a JAAA representative confirmed that Taylor has been charged but refused to elaborate, telling Loop Sports that the matter was now in the hands of the AIU.
The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission is also aware of the development.
If the charges are upheld, Taylor faces a minimum two-year ban from the sport.
While the legal process unfolds, Taylor will almost certainly miss the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Taylor has been one of Jamaica’s most consistent quarter milers. He won the 400m gold at the 2015 World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia in 45.27 seconds, a Jamaica youth record.
He also won the U-18 400m at the 2015 Carifta Games in a championship record time of 46.64. And he finished seventh in the men’s 400m final at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon
Jamaica’s 4×400-metre men made it nine medals for the island after copping a brilliant silver on the final day of competition at the World Athletics Championships inside the Hayward Field stadium in Eugene, Oregon, with Taylor running a brilliant leg.
The team of Akeem Bloomfield, Nathon Allen, Jevaughn Powell and Christopher Taylor clocked two minutes, 58.58 seconds (2:56.58) to finish behind the United States’ 2:56.
