Record-breaking High School Sprinter Briana Williams Faces Doping Charge

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Two Jamaican news organizations reported Tuesday that 17-year-old Briana Williams has tested positive for a banned diuretic and faces disciplinary action from anti-doping authorities. 

Williams, who lives in the U.S. and attends Northeast High in Oakland Park, Fla., tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), according to rjrnewsonline. The substance is banned because it can be used to mask the presence of anabolic steroids. 

Williams, who broke the U.S. high school record along with the Jamaican U-20 and World U-18 all-time marks in the 100-meter dash when she ran 10.94 seconds June 23 at the Jamaican national championships in Kingston, has retained an attorney and aims to clear her name of any wrongdoing. 

The Williams camp, which includes coach Ato Boldon, an NBC track and field analyst, claims that the positive test was caused by taking an over-the-counter cold medicine, Pharma Cold and Flu. Williams listed the medication on her doping control form. 

The ingredients listed on the cold medicine packaging do not include HCTZ. However, an independent test on the medication that she took revealed traces of the substance, according to the Jamaica Gleaner. 

Williams' attorney, Dr. Emir Crowne, aims to show the evidence as proof that she did not take the banned substance intentionally and that the medicine she took was contaminated. 

Williams was a double gold medalist in the 100 and 200 meters at the 2018 IAAF World U-20 Championships in Finland as a 16-year old. She added 100-meter gold medals July 5 at the NACAC U-18 Championships in Mexico and July 19 at the Pan Am U-20 Championships in Costa Rica. 

The Jamaica Athletics Administration Association is set to name its national team Sept. 6 for the IAAF World Championships for Doha, Qatar.  

Williams still has hope of competing in Doha. Crowne said he believes the facts will prove that she should be cleared and is pushing for a hearing before the Sept. 6 cut-off date. 

Williams isn't the first Jamaican athlete to come under scrutiny for HCTZ, according to the Gleaner.

Veronica Campbell-Brown, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, was cleared after testing positive for HCTZ in 2013. Two years later, discus thrower Traves Smikle – a 2012 Olympian – served a two-year ban when he tested positive.