The 2018 Commonwealth Games 100m champion missed three anti-doping tests on June 23, 2018, February 23, 2019, and April 19, 2019, which amounted to an anti-doping violation for which she has been sanctioned.
In addition to the ban, Ahye is being required to forfeit any titles, ranking points as well and prize and appearance money she would have won during the period. The World Athletics Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) explained that all competitive results that Ahye returned between April 19, 2019, and August 30, 2019, should be disqualified.
What this effectively means is that the silver medal Ahye won on August 7, 2019, at the Pan Am Games will be stripped.
She will also have to return prize money won in women’s 200-metre “B” race she won at the Spitzen Leichtathletik track meet in Switzerland on July 9, and at a few IAAF Diamond League races.
Meanwhile, according to media in Trinidad, Ahye’s attorney, Howard Jacobs, claimed she was tested 10 times during the period when she missed the tests and did not return an adverse finding.
However, according to the AIU: "We do not consider such arguments provide a sufficient reason to do other than the rule that the sanction of suspension should start to run from the date of the third missed test, namely 19 April, 2019."
The postponement of the Tokyo games until the Summer of 2021 means Ahye, who is appealing that ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), would have been too late even if successful, but that is now, no longer true.
In fact, even if her appeal is unsuccessful, Ahye may still suit up for T&T.
Ahye has the support of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) throughout the appeals process and the sprinter will be going to CAS with the organisation’s lawyer, Dave Williams.
According to Williams, who spoke to Errol Baptiste on I95.5fm recently, Ahye’s ban began in April of 2019 and is scheduled to end in April of 2019, a full three months before the next Olympics.
Ahye had missed three drug tests on June 23, 2018, February 23, 2019 and April 19, 2019.
"Yes, on a technicality yes, she is available. There is no precedent in place that would prevent her from participating once she qualifies, in the July 2021 Olympics,” said Williams.
Despite the technicality, Williams and the TTOC are still going ahead with their appeal because there are other considerations for the athlete.
"Michelle would have, in fact, suffered as a result of the order issued by the Tribunal, the medals, the titles and awards that she would have received during the period (April to August, 2019), as a result of the Tribunal’s ruling, she would no longer be entitled to such, as a matter of fact, the order goes on to say that Michele’s result from April 2019 shall be disqualified with all resulting consequences including the forfeiture of any titles or awards, medals, points so we are appealing that as well. So, notwithstanding the fact that yes she has benefitted as a consequence of COVID-19, there are still issues that we would like to have reversed in Michelle’s favour,” said Williams.
Williams explained that the process with CAS has been completed and it was now just a wait and see situation.
“We have lodged our appeal, the respondent has since submitted their response to our appeal and it is up to CAS now, both parties have in fact made their relevant submissions to CAS, so the matter is now being deliberated on by CAS," said Williams.
How soon that judgement will be handed down has not been revealed by the CAS yet.
Williams also explained that the ban cannot be extended because the Olympics were moved and/or any extenuating circumstances surrounding the spread of COVID-19.
Guyana, known for its gold and diamond deposits, added a bit of silver and bronze in the respective finals after Jasmine Abrams ran 11.52 to win the silver medal in the women’s 100m finals. She was runner-up to Yunisleidy De La Caridad Garcia, who ran 11.36 in a dominant victory.
Trinidad and Tobago’s veteran sprinter Michelle Lee Ahye was a close third in 11.53 to claim the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, the ever-improving Emmanuel Archibald won a second medal for Guyana when he finished third in the men’s 100m final. Archibald clocked 10.31 while finishing behind Jose Gonzales of the Dominican Republic, who claimed gold in a blanket finish having crossed the line in 10.30.
Brazil’s Felipe Bardi was awarded the silver medal in 10.31.
Nicholas Paul, 25, was lauded for his remarkable performances throughout 2023, culminating in a historic silver medal at the 2023 International Cycling Union World Track Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. As the world record holder in the flying 200m, Paul showcased his prowess on the global stage, demonstrating unparalleled speed and skill.
Adding to his accolades, Paul showcased his versatility and dominance at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, where he successfully defended his sprint title and secured silver in the men's keirin event. His stellar achievements solidified his status as one of the nation's premier cyclists, earning him the coveted senior sportsman of the year award.
Meanwhile, Michelle-Lee Ahye's exceptional year was highlighted by her outstanding performance at the Pan American Games, where she clinched bronze in the women's 100-metre event with a time of 11.53 seconds. Ahye's podium finish marked a significant milestone in her illustrious career and reaffirmed her status as TT's most elite women's sprinter.
Ahye's stellar track record includes a silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, further cementing her reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the world of sprinting. Her consistent excellence in local and international competitions earned her the esteemed title of sportswoman of the year.
Both Ahye and Paul were also honored with the 2023 TT Olympic Committee senior awards in December, further underscoring their exceptional contributions to Trinidad and Tobago's sporting legacy.
In addition to the senior awards, swimmer Nikoli Blackman and track and field athlete Janae De Gannes were recognized as the youth sportsman and sportswoman of the year, respectively. Blackman's stellar performance at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, where he secured three gold medals, showcased his immense talent and potential on the global stage.
Similarly, De Gannes' remarkable achievements, including a silver medal in the women’s long jump at the Commonwealth Youth Games and a record-breaking performance at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Games Under-18 meet, earned her well-deserved acclaim as a rising star in Trinidad and Tobago's sporting landscape.
As Trinidad and Tobago's sporting heroes continue to inspire and captivate audiences both at home and abroad, the First Citizens Sports Foundation Awards serve as a testament to their unwavering dedication, passion, and excellence in their respective fields.
As such, the Trinidadian will miss the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Ahye already missed the World Championships in Doha, Qatar last September after she reportedly missed three tests during a one-year period between 2018-2019, and had been provisionally suspended since August 30, 2019.
Her suspension will run from April 19, 2019.
Trinidad and Tobago’s National Association of Athletic Associations (NAAA) described the development as disheartening.
“This is a very unfortunate development for one of our top female athlete,” the NAAA said in a statement Tuesday.
“She’s in the prime of her athletic career and is a hardworking individual. The rules as they are stated in respect to this matter are clear as it relates to the responsibility of the athlete as well as the consequences.
“As an Association we remain committed to partnering with the Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs to provide support and guidance more so when these sort of incidents occur.”
There is no official word on whether the athlete will appeal the ban.
