MONACO (Sporting Alert) — Sprint stars Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Carmelita Jeter walked out of a news conference for the IAAF Diamond League in Monaco on Thursday in protest, following questions on the recent failed doping scandal.
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Fraser-Pryce, the training partner of Jamaicans Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson and Jeter, the countrywoman of Tyson Gay, had both requested not to be asked about the failed drugs tests involving their pairs.
In fact, it was also announced prior to the start of the press conference that no questions should be asked about doping.
However, after reporters broke their word and start quizzing the pair about doping shortly after their opening questions, they responded by putting down their mic and walking out of the room.
Jeter, the reigning world 100m champion and Fraser-Pryce, the two-time Olympic 100m champion, will face a strong field in the women’s 200m and they are both hoping for a good performance on Friday.
American champion Kimberlyn Duncan and Murielle Ahoure from the Ivory Coast are also in the starting list.
“This is the first season I’ve done so many 200s,” Fraser-Pryce said. “I’m still a little tentative at times about how I run it.
“I have a very good start, I am explosive over the first 100m. So I play around a little bit with that.”
Jeter is looking for a good performance after recovering from an injury setback.
“It’s been a difficult season,” the American admitted. “Our bodies can only do so much and sometimes they give out on us.
“I had a very severe injury in Shanghai. Shelly-Ann helped me get my shoes off and get off the track. I have been working very hard to get back since then.”
Several other world-class athletes will line up in Monaco for the meet.
The men’s 100m, missing Tyson Gay, will feature the likes of Justin Gatlin of USA, Jamaicans Kemar Bailey-Cole and Nickel Ashmeade, while there will be a loaded field in the men’s 400m hurdles.
Australia’s Sally Pearson, Russia’s Anna Chicherova, Amantle Montsho of Botswana and Blanka Vlasic of Croatia will also compete at the meet.
