Olympic Champion Fails Drug Test; OBE for London Watchdog

Olympic Champion Fails Drug Test

Three-time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown failed a drug test, according to reports in Jamaican media.

Reports say a urine sample from Campbell-Brown contained furosemide, a masking agent for other drugs.

The substance is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substance list because it is a diuretic used to conceal performance-enhancing drugs.

She is one of Jamaica’s most decorated Olympians, winning gold medals in the 200m and 4x100m relay, in addition to two silver and two bronze medals .

Jamaican Olympic Association president Michael Fennel was quoted saying the finding could be a "big blow" to the sport, adding he wanted to "get the facts first" before commenting.

If found guilty of a drug violation, Campbell-Brown could face a two-year competition ban.

Authorities Investigating Corruption from Olympic Sponsorship

Investigators in Australia are looking into allegations that BHP Billiton violated anti-corruption laws as part of its sponsorship of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

A statement from the mining giant to Bloomberg says it "disclosed to relevant authorities evidence that it has uncovered regarding possible violations of applicable anti-corruption laws involving interactions with government officials."

The statement added that an internal investigation is ongoing. "The group is cooperating with the relevant authorities and reporting the facts found in the investigation. It is not possible at this time to predict the likely outcomes of the matter."

Australia’s Fairfax Media report that authorities are investigating BHP Billiton’s hospitality program during the Games. The news agency reported in 2010 that United States investigators told Australian counterparts the firm was paying bribes to foreign officials.

OBE for Olympic Environmental Watchdog

Shaun McCarthy, chairman of the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012, received an Order of the British Empire for his Olympic work. In his role, McCarthy served as the chief watchdog for the London Games environmental impact.

McCarthy called his job "one of the most challenging, and most rewarding jobs I have ever had, and that includes a stint at BAA during the construction of Terminal 5."

"I am incredibly grateful for the support of my colleagues at the Commission over the years, whose passion and dedication helped make the Games such a ground-breaking British event."

The OBE is a British order of chivalry, given to individuals who have had "a major local role in any activity," according to the British government’s award website.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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