07 August,2017 08:18 AM IST | London | PA Sport
Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness has called for athletes who fail drug tests to receive life bans following Justin Gatlin's 100 metres victory at the World Championships
US athlete Justin Gatlin speaks to the press after the final of the men's 100m athletics event at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 5, 2017. Pic/AFP
Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness has called for athletes who fail drug tests to receive life bans following Justin Gatlin's 100 metres victory at the World Championships.
American Gatlin has twice served doping bans but at the age of 35 pulled off a shock win, ending Usain Bolt's reign as sprint king. "I think there should be very stringent penalties for people who use performance-enhancing drugs in sport," he said. "But at the same time once the person has paid their penalty then I really don't have a comment on whether or not victory is deserved."
In an interview aired in full on BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek show, the Jamaican PM was asked if life bans would be appropriate. "It's the only way you're going to fully ensure that people don't cheat in the sport," he said.
