USADA confirms Tyson Gay failed a second drug test

By Kayon Raynor

Travis Tygart, CEO of United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA), has confirmed that Tyson Gay, the American 100 metre record holder, failed a second drug test earlier this year.

Tygart did not say when nor where the second positive test was taken but a confidential source told RJR that it was at the United States National Trials on the weekend of June 23 in Des Moines, Iowa.

The USADA CEO, in a statement to Reuters regarding the test in May, said USADA “can confirm that the B sample analysis of a sample collected from Mr. Gay has been completed, and that the B sample analysis has confirmed the A sample findings.”  He said “an additional sample collected from Mr. Gay has also returned an adverse A sample finding.”

It is that "additional sample" which RJR's source is confirming was taken at the US National Trials in June.

Tygart added that the results of these tests “were expected, given Mr. Gay’s acceptance of responsibility for the substances found in his body as soon as he was notified of the A sample results. We appreciate Mr. Gay voluntarily removing himself from competition prior to the World Championships while we evaluate the circumstances surrounding his adverse analytical findings, and work towards achieving a fair resolution of his case in accordance with the rules."

Regarding the second doping violation, RJR’s source said the sprinter was notified of the positive result on Monday.  “His A and B samples from the trials were both tested,” the source added.

The source with knowledge of the anti-doping violations concerning the 2007 triple World Championships gold medal winner, did not disclose the name of the substance. “His lawyer and agent have told him not to communicate about this latest test,” the source added.

Mark Wetmore, Gay's agent, did not respond to emailed queries from RJR Sports on Friday.

Friday’s news of the second positive test comes two weeks after Gay confirmed he had returned an adverse finding from an out of competition test in May.

"I don't have a sabotage story. I don't have lies...I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down," Gay said at the time.

He added at the time that he had never knowingly taken a performance-enhancing drug.

Gay also confirmed two weeks ago that he had withdrawn from the USA squad to Moscow.