LAUSANNE–Jamaican sprint star Asafa Powell has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, asking for his 18-month ban to be reduced to three months.The 31-year-old tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine at last year's national championships and was slapped with the suspension by the Jamaica Anti-doping Commission in April.However, Powell subsequently branded the ruling as "unfair and unjust" and said he would appeal.Fellow Jamaican sprinter Sherone Simpson, who was also banned for 18 months following a positive drugs test for the same substance, has also appealed to CAS for a reduction in the JADCO suspension.
Following the positive test, Powell blamed Canadian physical trainer Chris Xureb for providing him with the supplements, that included the banned substance.However, a three-member JADCO disciplinary panel said the sprinter had been "negligent" and had been "at fault", and banned him until December 28 this year.The suspension was dated to the time of the positive test last year.Powell immediately vowed to fight the ban, pointing out it was the first time in his 12-year career that he had ever tested positive.