Latest News on our T&T sprint queens Kelly-Ann Baptiste and Semoy Hackett

[Storeboy]

So how come we haven't heard any news on Kelly-Ann yet?

Come on TOC and NAAA, give us an update and let us know when Kelly-Ann will be officially allowed to compete again.

Tyson Gay is now back and competing so its only fair and logical that we get some news on Kelly-Ann.

That among other things is what I don't understand about this whole drug-testing and punishment scenario. There are numerous athletes who have been "rehabilitated" and continue to run. It has been a full year and we have no idea whether KAB will ever run again.  That is shameful! But I don't know who to pin the blame on- NAAA, TOC, IAAF, WADA.  There should be loud cries of injustice, IMHO.

[Socapro]

KELLY-ANN BAPTISTE CASE GOES TO COURT OF ARBITRATION
NAAA Media Release-August 29, 2014

The National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAA) wishes to announce the conclusion of the first instance hearing regarding the Kelly-Ann Baptiste anti-doping rule violation.

On August 5, 2014, the NAAA’s Disciplinary Panel comprising Attorney-at-Law, J.Tyrone Marcus as Chairman, Brigadier-General Anthony Phillips-Spencer of the Defence Force, sports medicine specialist Dr. Anyl Gopeesingh, NAAA Public Relations Officer, Peter Samuel, and NAAA General Secretary Allan Baboolal, reconvened to issue its final ruling having first met on June 6, 2014.

The second meeting was necessary due to the prevailing anti-doping rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which stipulated that in cases like that of Baptiste, where Substantial Assistance was provided, the matter needed to be referred to the Doping Review Board of the IAAF before being remitted to the Disciplinary Panel.

The Substantial Assistance provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code and related rules globally are aimed at encouraging openness and full disclosure but have rarely been invoked. The most recent Substantial Assistance case involved US sprinter Tyson Gay, who served a one-year suspension having co-operated with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the IAAF.

The World Anti-Doping Agency, acknowledged Gay’s help and did not appeal his one-year suspension.

Due to the sensitivity of the information provided by Baptiste as she co-operated with various anti-doping regulators, her hearing was conducted in strict confidence, especially because of the potential impact her disclosures could have on revealing past or current doping offences by third parties.

The Disciplinary Panel decided on August 12, 2014, that in view of the applicable regulations regarding Substantial Assistance, Baptiste’s general conduct and co-operation, the decisions in previous anti-doping case law and the fact that she had served a 16-month period of ineligibility (already four months longer than Gay) since the collection of her urine sample, her ban would be lifted with immediate effect, with the Panel having the power to reinstate the ban subsequently, if the circumstances so required.

Late last week, the NAAA received notification that the IAAF intended to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Panel to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. In so doing, the IAAF reinstated Baptiste’s ban which was only lifted on August 12, 2014.
The appeal date is yet to be set.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

There are clear double-standards here from the IAAF when we view Kelly-Ann's case in comparison to Tyson Gay's case especially when we note that she has already served 4 months more than Gay did before he was cleared to compete again.

Lets see how long they take to set the appeal date and if the IAAAF wins the appeal.

[royal]

NAAA Media Release-August 29, 2014

KELLY-ANN BAPTISTE CASE GOES TO COURT OF ARBITRATION

 The National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAA) wishes to announce the conclusion of the first instance hearing regarding the Kelly-Ann Baptiste anti-doping rule violation. On August 5, 2014, the NAAA’s Disciplinary Panel comprising Attorney-at-Law, J.Tyrone Marcus as Chairman, Brigadier-General Anthony Phillips-Spencer of the Defence Force, sports medicine specialist Dr. Anyl Gopeesingh, NAAA Public Relations Officer, Peter Samuel, and NAAA General Secretary Allan Baboolal, reconvened to issue its final ruling having first met on June 6, 2014.
 The second meeting was necessary due to the prevailing anti-doping rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which stipulated that in cases like that of Baptiste, where Substantial Assistance was provided, the matter needed to be referred to the Doping Review Board of the IAAF before being remitted to the Disciplinary Panel. The Substantial Assistance provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code and related rules globally are aimed at encouraging openness and full disclosure but have rarely been invoked. The most recent Substantial Assistance case involved US sprinter Tyson Gay, who served a one-year suspension having co-operated with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the IAAF. The World Anti-Doping Agency, acknowledged Gay’s help and did not appeal his one-year suspension.
 Due to the sensitivity of the information provided by Baptiste as she co-operated with various anti-doping regulators, her hearing was conducted in strict confidence, especially because of the potential impact her disclosures could have on revealing past or current doping offences by third parties. The Disciplinary Panel decided on August 12, 2014, that in view of the applicable regulations regarding Substantial Assistance, Baptiste’s general conduct and co-operation, the decisions in previous anti-doping case law and the fact that she had served a 16-month period of ineligibility (already four months longer than Gay) since the collection of her urine sample, her ban would be lifted with immediate effect, with the Panel having the power to reinstate the ban subsequently, if the circumstances so required.
 Late last week, the NAAA received notification that the IAAF intended to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Panel to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. In so doing, the IAAF reinstated Baptiste’s ban which was only lifted on August 12, 2014. The appeal date is yet to be set.

[Aviator]

Guess she doesn't have that bacrkoom access like her "brother" Tyson Gay.

See you next summer KAB. Train hard and keep strong!!

[Socapro]

FALSE START
IAAF to appeal NAAA’s lift on Baptiste ban
Story Created: Aug 29, 2014 at 9:46 PM ECT (T&T Express)

On August 12, 2014, after 16 months off the track, it seemed as though Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Kelly Ann Baptiste would finally be allowed to compete again after the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) disciplinary panel lifted her ban for an anti-doping rule violation during the IAAF World Championships in Moscow last year.

However, last week, the NAAA received notification that the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) intended to appeal the decision of the disciplinary panel to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, and in so doing, reinstated Baptiste’s ban.

Baptiste had reportedly tested positive for a banned substance and voluntarily withdrew from the competition in Moscow. The NAAA disciplinary panel, comprising Attorney-at-Law, J Tyrone Marcus as chairman, Brigadier General Anthony Phillips-Spencer of the Defence Force, sports medicine specialist Dr Anyl Gopeesingh, NAAA public relations officer, Peter Samuel, and NAAA general secretary Allan Baboolal, reconvened earlier this month to issue its final ruling on Baptiste’s case having first met on June 6.

According to the NAAA release, the second meeting was necessary due to the prevailing anti-doping rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which stipulated that in cases like that of Baptiste, where Substantial Assistance was provided, the matter needed to be referred to the Doping Review Board of the IAAF before being remitted to the Disciplinary Panel.

According to the NAAA press release, “The substantial assistance provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code and related rules globally are aimed at encouraging openness and full disclosure but have rarely been invoked.

“The most recent substantial assistance case involved US sprinter Tyson Gay, who served a one-year suspension having cooperated with the United States Anti-Doping Agency USADA) and the IAAF. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) acknowledged Gay’s help and did not appeal his one-year suspension.”

Normally, athletes receive a two-year suspension for their first major doping offense but under anti-doping rules the ban can be reduced for substantial co-operation.

The NAAA explained that due to the sensitivity of the information provided by Baptiste, who was co-operating with various anti-doping regulators, her hearing was conducted in strict confidence because of the potential impact her disclosures could have on revealing past or current doping offenses by third parties.

In justifying their decision to lift the ban, the NAAA stated: “The Disciplinary Panel decided on August 12, 2014, that in view of the applicable regulations regarding substantial assistance, Baptiste’s general conduct and co-operation, the decisions in previous anti-doping case law and the fact that she had served a 16-month period of ineligibility (already four months longer than Gay) since the collection of her urine sample, her ban would be lifted with immediate effect, with the panel having the power to reinstate the ban subsequently, if the circumstances so required.”

[Socapro]

IAAF restores Baptiste’s 2-year ban
By Andrew  Gioannetti (T&T Guardian)
Published: Saturday, August 30, 2014

Two weeks following the decision by the National Association of Athletics’ Administrations’ (NAAA) Disciplinary Panel to immediately lift T&T runner Kelly-Ann Baptiste’s ban, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), has reinstated the ban with the intention of appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to force the runner to complete the full two-year term.

In a media release issued by the NAAA yesterday, Peter Samuel, the association’s public relations officer and member of the disciplinary panel said he and the other panel members, chairman and attorney J Tyrone Marcus, Brigadier-General Anthony Phillips-Spencer, Dr Anyl Gopeesingh, and NAAA general secretary Allan Baboolal, were of the view that Baptiste, a World Championship bronze medalist, served sufficient time on the ban, when compared to that of American sprinter Tyson Gay, who they said was banned under similar circumstances.

Contacted for clarity, Samuel said the NAAA was of the opinion that the initial ruling was harsh, and considering Gay’s original sentence was reduced to half of the initial sentence, the same should be done for Baptiste, given that she too co-operated and did everything that was asked of her. He said Baptiste’s case “was the same as Gay’s”.

Samuel said Baptiste’s case has received support from officials of US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and who also provided an affidavit in her defense.  The media release issued by the NAAA is as follows: “The National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAA) wishes to announce the conclusion of the first instance hearing regarding the Kelly-Ann Baptiste anti-doping rule violation. On August 5, 2014, the NAAA’s Disciplinary Panel comprising Attorney-at-Law, J Tyrone Marcus as Chairman, Brigadier-General Anthony Phillips-Spencer of the Defence Force, sports medicine specialist Dr Anyl Gopeesingh, NAAA Public Relations Officer, Peter Samuel, and NAAA General Secretary Allan Baboolal, reconvened to issue its final ruling having first met on June 6, 2014.

The second meeting was necessary due to the prevailing anti-doping rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which stipulated that in cases like that of Baptiste, where Substantial Assistance was provided, the matter needed to be referred to the Doping Review Board of the IAAF before being remitted to the Disciplinary Panel.  The Substantial Assistance provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code and related rules globally are aimed at encouraging openness and full disclosure but have rarely been invoked.  The most recent Substantial Assistance case involved US sprinter Tyson Gay, who served a one-year suspension having co-operated with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the IAAF. The World Anti-Doping Agency, acknowledged Gay’s help and did not appeal his one-year suspension.

Due to the sensitivity of the information provided by Baptiste as she co-operated with various anti-doping regulators, her hearing was conducted in strict confidence, especially because of the potential impact her disclosures could have on revealing past or current doping offenses by third parties.

[Socapro]

IAAF to appeal NAAA ruling on Baptiste
By JOEL BAILEY Saturday, August 30 2014 (T&T Newsday)

THE IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) is set to appeal the National Association of Athletics Administration (NAAA) Disciplinary Panel’s decision to lift the ban on ex-national sprint queen and 2011 World Championships 100-metre bronze medallist Kelly-Ann Baptiste.

The NAAA, in a media release issued yesterday, indicated that Baptiste “had served a 16-month period of ineligibility since the collection of her urine sample (and) her ban would be lifted with immediate effect” by its Disciplinary Panel.

The NAAA Disciplinary Panel had also taken into consideration previous anti-doping case law and in particular the case involving US sprinter Tyson Gay who was banned for just 12 months. But “late last week, the NAAA received notification that the IAAF intended to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Panel to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland. In so doing, the IAAF reinstated Baptiste’s ban (and) the appeal date is yet to be set.”

The 27-year-old Baptiste, who claimed the 100-200 metres double at the 2013 National Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, had failed a drugs test and, a day before the start of the 2013 World Champs in Moscow, Russia (August 10), was forced to withdraw from the competition alongside fellow TT sprinter Semoy Hackett. Hackett, who had a second positive drug test, had been cleared to run by the NAAA Disciplinary Panel, but the IAAF appealed that decision.

In its first major public statement since the suspension of Baptiste, the NAAA, in its media release, noted that, on August 5, the Panel, comprising chairman and attorney-at-law Tyrone Marcus, Brigadier-General Anthony Phillips-Spencer, sports medicine specialist Dr Anyl Gopeesingh, NAAA public relations officer Peter Samuel and NAAA general secretary Allan Baboolal, reconvened to issue its final ruling.

The reconvened meeting “was necessary due to the prevailing anti-doping rules of the IAAF, which stipulated that, in cases like that of Baptiste, where Substantial Assistance was provided, the matter needed to be referred to the Doping Review Board of the IAAF before being remitted to the Disciplinary Panel.”

The NAAA revealed that “due to the sensitivity of the information provided by Baptiste as she co-operated with various anti-doping regulators, her hearing was conducted in strict confidence, especially because of the potential impact her disclosures could have on revealing past or current doping offences by third parties.”

[Socapro]

These are clear double-standards here from the IAAF when we note that Kelly-Ann's case is basically the same as Tyson Gay's and she cooperated exactly as Tyson did. This is even more unfair towards Kelly-Ann when we note that Kelly-Ann has already served 4 months more than Gay did and he has been back in competition and making money from his trade for the last 3 months.

Lets see how long they take to set the appeal date and if the IAAAF wins their appeal.

[Socapro]

I wonder what is the latest news regards the IAAF's appeal of our NAAA's ruling on Kelly-Ann Baptiste to lift her ban from the end of August earlier this year?

The announcement of the IAAF's appeal was made since August and its now November and no news.
Can someone chase this up and update the anxiously waiting Kelly-Ann fans?

Would really like to see KAB back in action for indoors this winter into early next year before getting back on track for the 2015 outdoor season and giving MLA some competition.

PS:
If Kelly-Ann is made by the IAAF to serve a full two-year ban then she won't be able to compete until April 2015 which means she would miss out on being able to race & earn for most of the early 2015 T&F season.

[Socapro]

According to what NAAA president Ephraim Serrette said in this video we should be getting news on Kelly-Ann Baptiste's eligibility to compete again very soon.

Serrette reflects on 2014
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/YRz0Vhv8d6k" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/YRz0Vhv8d6k</a>

NAAA president Ephraim Serrette reflects on the sport of track and field in 2014. Serrette was speaking at the 2014 TT National Cross Country Championships at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain on Sun, Nov 30 (not 28th).

[Socapro]

BACK ON TRACK
Baptiste free to compete after doping ban lifted
By Kwame Laurence kwame.laurence@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Jan 29, 2015 at 8:50 PM ECT (T&T Express)


Kelly-Ann Baptiste

Sprinter Kelly-Ann Baptiste is eligible to compete again.

Baptiste had been banned after testing positive for a prohibited substance. The sample was collected in April 2013.

Like her training partner, American Tyson Gay, Baptiste cooperated with a United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) investigation. But while Gay served a one-year ban, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) appealed an August 12, 2014 decision by the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) disciplinary panel to lift the ban on Baptiste. At that point, Trinidad and Tobago’s Florida-based sprint queen had already served a 16-month period of ineligibility.

NAAA president Ephraim Serrette told the Express, yesterday, that the IAAF’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was ruled on earlier this month. However, in a press release from public relations officer Peter Samuel, the NAAA said details of the CAS settlement will not be made public.

“The National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) can confirm that the Kelly-Ann Baptiste case has been resolved before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (“CAS”), based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“Further to the confidentiality provisions applicable to the proceedings, the Award of the CAS will not be made public. However, the NAAA can confirm that Ms Baptiste is free to return to competition with immediate effect.”

Serrette said that his interpretation of the CAS ruling is that the earlier decision of the NAAA disciplinary panel to lift the ban on Baptiste was “a correct decision”.

“We acted in accordance with precedent set, and we would have been correct. It’s very unfair to Kelly-Ann.”

However, chairman of the NAAA disciplinary panel, sports lawyer J Tyrone Marcus told the Express “it might be a bit too premature to say” Baptiste was unjustly treated, based on the one-year ban handed to Gay.

“It’s still early days. More time has to pass, and more substantial assistance cases heard, so that a trend can be recognised.”

Baptiste is expected to be stripped of the two national records she had established at the 2013 National Championships. She clocked 10.83 seconds in the 100m final and 22.36 in the 200m championship race. If those two marks are annulled, Baptiste’s next best 100m clocking, 10.84 seconds would return to the record books, while Semoy Hackett’s 22.55 run from May 26, 2012 would be recognised as the national 200m record.

Hackett is currently serving a doping ban, and will be eligible to compete again on May 1.

[Socapro]

Baptiste case resolved says NAAAs
Published: Friday, January 30, 2015 (T&T Guardian)

Kelly-Ann Baptiste

The National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) has confirmed that the Kelly-Ann Baptiste case has been resolved before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (“CAS”), based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
 
Further to the confidentiality provisions applicable to the proceedings, the award of the CAS will not be made public. However, the NAAA confirmed that Baptiste is free to return to competition with immediate effect.
 
The NAAA reiterated its commitment to the promotion of drug-free sport and stated that in view of the new World Anti-Doping Code which came into effect on January 1, it was looking forward to partnerships with other stakeholders in fostering an environment of clean and fair sport in T&T.
 
Baptiste tested positive for a banned substance at the IAAF World Championships, in Moscow, Russia in 2013.
 
She withdrew from the competition.
 
Last August, after 16 months off the track, it seemed Baptiste would finally be allowed to compete again after the NAAA disciplinary panel lifted her ban.
 
However, a week later, the NAAA was notified that the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) had appealed the decision of the disciplinary panel to the CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland, and in so doing, reinstated Baptiste’s ban.

[Socapro]

Kelly-Ann cleared to run
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH Friday, January 30 2015 (T&T Newsday)

Kelly-Ann Baptiste

Trinidad and Tobago sprinter, Kelly-Ann Baptiste, breathed a sigh of relief yesterday after her doping case before the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) was resolved in Lausanne, Switzerland.

According to a release issued by the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) yesterday, the 2011 World Championships bronze medallist, “is free to return to competition with immediate effect”. The statement also read: “Further to the confidentiality provisions applicable to the proceedings, the Award of the CAS will not be made public.”

After pulling out of the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, Russia, at the last minute, Baptiste was forced to withdraw from all competitions while her case was being dealt with by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and CAS.

Speaking to NAAA president, Ephraim Serrette, on these latest developments yesterday, he was pleased that the matter has reached its conclusion and welcomed the Tobagonian back into the local track and field fraternity with open arms.

“This augurs well for Trinidad and Tobago athletics, especially prior to the 2016 Olympic Games,” said Serrette. “From my knowledge she has never stopped training and she will be working towards getting those Olympic qualification times in many upcoming track and field meets.”

Meanwhile, another tainted local female sprinter Semoy Hackett, who also faced similar sanctions from the IAAF, will also be returning to national duty in May according to Serrette and will prove to be another key element in TT’s women’s 100m and 4x100m qualification to the Olympic Games.

Hackett has not been able to compete for her twin-island nation since her second positive dope test in 2013. But, according to Serrette, Hackett’s ban is expected to be completed by May and she, like Baptiste, would be available to run for TT.

“With the added inclusion of Semoy Hackett returning to the competitive circuit in May, the national women’s sprint team will receive an additional boost from both athletes. Partnered with other sprinters like Michelle Lee Ahye and others, we expect to field a strong team for Olympic qualifiers. We are pleased to have Kelly-Ann back with us representing Trinidad and Tobago and with Hackett available by May, we remain positive,” concluded Serrette.