Kenneth Edwards, in action during the London 2012 Olympics |
Edwards revealed that he was notified a month ago about a failed test for a diuretic, a banned substance because it reduces bodily fluids and can mask use of other performance-enhancing substances.
The 27-year-old, who won a bronze medal in the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games, competed in the heavyweight division at London 2012 and was Jamaica's first ever Olympian in the sport.
He has not competed since July and is currently awaiting the results of a back up sample.
"I remain committed to being a professional athlete and would not do anything to compromise that position," Edwards said in a statement.
Jamaican taekwondo player Kenneth Edwards in action during the London 2012 Olympics against Xiaobo Liu of China
Jamaican taekwondo player Kenneth Edwards, in action during the London 2012 Olympics against Xiaobo Liu of China, before his failed test
Confidence in Edwards was also added by Jason McKay, the captain of Jamaica's combined martial arts team.
"I have every intention of challenging these findings," he told the Jamaican Gleaner.
"From what we understand, a diuretic has appeared in his sample, which we are sure must be a mistake of some sort.
"Because, apart from his unquestionable honesty and integrity, there is no practical reason for him to be taking a diuretic, or any masking agent, when not competing."
However, this latest case is but a further example of a doping problem endemic across Jamaican sport and Edwards becomes the eighth athlete from the island to be embroiled in controversy in 2013.
In July the former 100 metre world record holder Asafa Powell and the Beijing 2008 silver medallist Sherone Simpson were among five Jamaican sprinters to be banned after failed tests.
This followed another scandal the previous month involving the three time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown who also, like Edwards, failed a test for a diuretic after supposedly using the substance to treat a leg injury.
She has since been let off with a public warning from the Jamaican Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) although this is still subject to approval by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
In September the international footballer Jermaine Hue was also handed a nine-month ban by FIFA after testing positive for dexamethasone.
Jamaica's team doctor Carlton Fraser was handed a four-year suspension for giving Hue the banned steroid.
As a consequence of all of these affairs the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) announced yesterday that they will pay an "extraordinary visit" to Jamaica next year.
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