Top sprinters Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell both tested positive for banned substances, CNN reports. Both athletes were informed on Sunday by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Gay said than A sample taken from an out of competition test in May came back positive. He didn't reveal which substance he tested positive for, but did claim he never knowingly took any performance-enhancing drugs.
"I don't have a sabotage story," Gay said, according to Reuters. "I basically put my trust in someone and was let down. I made a mistake. I know exactly what went on, but I can't discuss it right now."
Gay's positive test comes a month after the sprinter posted the fastest time in the 100 meters (9.75 seconds) this year. He won gold at the 2007 world championships in the 100 and 200 meters races.
He has voluntarily withdrawn from next month's world championships in Russia.
USADA issued a statement following Gay's comments (via CNN):
"In response to Mr. Gay's statements, USADA appreciates his approach to handling this situation and his choice to voluntarily remove himself from competition while the full facts surrounding his test are evaluated.
"The B sample will be processed shortly, and as in all cases all athletes are innocent unless or until proven otherwise through the established legal process, and any attempt to sensationalize or speculate is a disservice to due process, fair play, and to those who love clean sport."
Powell, informed of his positive test later that Sunday, said he was caught for using oxilofrine, a banned stimulant, at the Jamaica trials last month. In a statement, Powell said he never knowingly or willfully took any performance-enhancing drugs.
Powell held the record in the 100 meters for three years until 2008, when Usain Bolt beat it. Powell participated in the 4x100-meter relay at the 2008 Olympics for Jamaica.
Two-time Olympic 200-meter champion Veronica Campbell-Brown was suspended in June after testing positive for a banned substance. Jamaica's Sherone Simpson also recently revealed she tested positive for doping.
