Jamaica anti-doping chief refutes Wall Street Journal claim

Kingston, Nov 15 (IANS/CMC) Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) chairman Herb Elliott has refuted a story in the Wall Street Journal, questioning his educational credentials.

The Wall Street Journal's Matthew Futterman said earlier in the week that he could not verify that Dr. Elliott earned a Master's in Chemistry from the Columbia University and a medical degree and Ph.D. in biochemistry from Universite Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium.

"I don't know why this man is trying to sully my name, except I suppose they feel if they discredit me, they can discredit JADCO," Elliott said in an interview with Observer newspaper Thursday.

"I will have a talk with the prime minister and if she feels I should resign in order to save JADCO's name, I shall do that," Elliott said.

The Wall Street Journal has quoted Jennifer Caplan, an official in the registrar's department at Columbia University, as saying there is no record of anyone with Elliott's name attaining a Master's in Chemistry or working towards a degree in the department.

"The man said I have no degree, no medical degree and no graduate degree. He claimed he called the Columbia University and they said they don't know anything about me, which is what a lot of universities would tell you if you just call because I haven't given them permission to give anybody anything," Elliott explained.

"Secondly, he can't get any information in Belgium because Belgian law forbids the university to give anybody anything of any student."

Elliott said he believes there is a plot to undermine him, and by extension JADCO and Jamaica.

The distinguished medical doctor, who is a member of track and field's ruling International Amateur Athletics Federation's (IAAF) medical committee since 2000, is also considering legal action.

"I told him the facts, but he wants me to show him my degrees. I don't feel I need to show him anything. You just don't call me because you name Herbert Elliott and you went to this school or that school and want to see my degrees," he argued.

"I took up something with someone who advises me all the time and we will decide tomorrow if I need to talk to a lawyer and how it proceeds."

--IANS/CMC

bs/vt