Those three misses by Christian Coleman

To miss one scheduled drug test, could be deemed an error in judgement, poor communication or an administrative blunder. But to miss all of three scheduled drug tests, is to my mind, a deliberate ploy to evade getting tested. And why would one miss all of three scheduled drug tests when these are crucial prerequisites to being admitted to international and global competitions? This is the trick question that needs an answer, posthaste, not excuses that are motivated by emotional and subjective considerations. And, time is running out for the twenty-three-year-old. He does not have time in his favor. After all, the World Championship is only five weeks away, and he needs to be fully focused and ready for the tasks at hand.

Double Standards

What is very strange though; I find, that, there are quite a few Jamaicans who would quickly condemn Jamaicans for the slightest breach or offense, even if such offense is simply perceptual. However, these same individuals would readily manufacture excuses for the glaring infractions of American athletes. And one is now left to ask, why is this so? Have they shed their Jamaican identity, and now embrace an American identity without any regard for the facts or for the rules of the game? Certainly, many who seek to provide excuses (not justification) for Christian Coleman’s three misses of scheduled drug tests, did not come out in any way to support the Jamaican, Steve Mullings, in his doping related saga. And, their stout defense of Christian Coleman, is just one example of their double standards, and their promotion of big country entitlements and privileges. Indeed, such uninformed and emotional position taken, will not help the sport of track and field, and it most certainly, will not aid nor advance Coleman’s cause(s).

Let justice be served for the good of the sport

Personally, I do want Coleman to compete at the Qatar World Championship in September , and at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Currently, Coleman is good for sprinting, and for the sport of track and field. If those three misses can be reasonably justified, then cut him some slack. But if they can’t be, then inevitably, he should be punished just like all others who have been guilty of same.

Coleman’s apology

Of the three misses, Coleman has apologized for one. But, what about the other two instances of missed drug tests? Indeed, such apology has within it, a clear acknowledgment that he did something wrong, something deliberate to evade the authorities or he treated those drug tests with scant regard. Either way, whether he doped, or he showed little regard for the scheduled drug tests, there is a serious price to pay. And if he is guilty either way, pay he must. However, I do hope, that, the matter can be amicably resolved, so that, track and field fans and spectators the world over, might be treated to the finest in male sprinting that are available. Let the chips fall where they must!