I'm redeemed, says Jamaican sprinter Campbell-Brown

Kingston (Jamaica), Feb 25 (IANS/CMC) Celebrated Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown has claimed redemption after she was cleared to resume her track and field career following a ruling that she had not used the banned substance last year for performance enhancement.

The Court of Arbitration in Sports (CAS) cleared Campbell-Brown of any wrongdoing, paving the way for her to resume a glittering career that has included golds at Athens in 2004 and at Beijing 2008, CMC reported.

VCB, as she is popularly known in the track and field world, released a statement Monday referencing black American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr and stating her intention to resume her career and philanthropic work.

"Yes, I lost out on the opportunity to compete for most of 2013 and the chance to defend my World 200m title, however, I press on," said Campbell-Brown who missed the IAAF World Championships in Moscow last August.

"Martin Luther King Jr spoke of the redemptive quality of unearned suffering and I must say I am redeemed."

She has been sidelined since testing positive for a banned diuretic at the Jamaica International Invitational in May.

Campbell-Brown said the last few months of her life have "brought much pain and suffering" as she waited for a resolution of her drug case.

"The final court available to us as athletes have spoken and humbly I say they have confirmed my innocence," said the Jamaican sprinter.

"I harbour too much self-respect and a similar respect for the purity of competition to resort to illegal means to success. This same self-respect will now enable me to leave behind the insensitive and ill-informed media remarks and look towards returning to the track to give of my best to God's glory."

The Jamaican sprinter has been under scrutiny with Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson, who were also tested positive for banned substances, forcing them to miss the Moscow World Championships.

She was suspended pending a Jamaican disciplinary committee review which deemed a reprimand sufficient because the banned substance was not used for performance enhancement.

"I would be remiss in not thanking the IAAF for expeditiously handing my case to the CAS," said Campbell-Brown.

"My legal and management team will be available to address the media in greater details as I now focus on moving forward with my career and philanthropic efforts".

Campbell-Brown could return to competition at next month's World Indoor Championships in Poland, with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July also an option.

--IANS/CMC

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