Gay has been the most-watched U.S. male sprinter for the past several years and has long sold himself as a clean athlete.
The 30-year-old, who won the world championship in the 100, 200 and 400 relay in 2007, took part in USADA’s “My Victory” program – in which athletes volunteer for enhanced testing to prove they’re clean – and his results never raised red flags.
Until, that is, the out-of-competition test in May. Results came back positive for a banned substance, the identity of which he has not been revealed.
The latest news adds to a slew of negative headlines for track. Jamaican Olympic champion, Veronica Campbell-Brown, tested positive for a banned diuretic at a meet on the island in May.
A month later, Asafa Powell, the former 100 world record holder, tested positive for a stimulant at Jamaica’s national championships, as did his teammate, Sherone Simpson, a three-time Olympic medalist.