Self-study activity:
Watch this short BBC news clip by clicking here or on the picture below and answer the questions about it.
The activity is suitable for Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 students.
1 How many Jamaican athletes are involved in the affair?
2 What did Sherone Simpson win at the Olympics in Athens? And at Beijing and London?
3 Why is Tyson Gay's record this year even more impressive?
4 What part of his career is Tyson Gay in?
5 How have Powell, Simpson and Gay reacted at the news?
You can check the answers by reading the transcript below.
Jamaica’s Asafa Powell has run one of the quickest times this season, but along with four other of the island’s athletes, he’s failed tests for banned substances. The small Caribbean nation that is a sprinting superpower has prided itself on being clean and drug-free, but now its reputation is on the line. Sherone Simpson, who won a gold in the 4x100 metres relay at the Olympics in Athens and silvers at Beijing and London, also tested positive.
The rivalry between Jamaica and the US is fierce, but they too had shocking news. The American Tyson Gay had recorded the fastest time over 100 metres this year, impressive after coming back from injury. But his positive test could see his preparation for the World Championships count for nothing after this result.
“Sometimes, when you get to that part of your career, the other second part of your career, maybe a hint of desperation comes in and you start looking for other things. Whether he has done it, as you said, out of his own volition or whether it’s been someone in his camp who’s sent him down that path, it is absolutely the wrong path to go down.”
Powell, Simpson and Gay have all issued statements admitting they’d unintentionally taken banned substances. Questions are being asked too about what these results mean to athletics and the world of sprinting.
