Former 100m world record holder Powell banned for 18 months for doping

KINGSTON: Former world 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell was banned for 18 months by a Jamaican Anti-doping Disciplinary panel on Thursday after he tested positive for a banned substance last year.

The Jamaican sprinter, 31, tested positive for the stimulant oxilophrine at last year’s national championships and the ban has been backdated to June 21 2013 – the day he provided the sample. His ban will end on Dec 20.