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FTC launches UTech Classic probe
Ian Allen - Olympic 400 metres hurdles champion Melaine Walker (centre) of MVP Track Club, crossing the line third in the women's 400m at the UTech Classic at the National Stadium.
Jermaine Lannaman, Star Writer
The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) has started investigations into the non-participation of several top-billed athletes at the just-concluded University of Technology (UTech) Track and Field Classic held at the National Stadium last Saturday.
David Miller, executive director of the FTC, said the commission, acting on complaints from the public, has been gathering information on the meet since Wednesday, and could, as early as next month, prepare a report on the findings.
Asafa no-show
It was advertised that athletes such as former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell, Olympic 400m silver medallist Shericka Williams, and Trinidad and Tobago's Darrell Brown would have participated, but they did not. Powell's coach withdrew him on the day of the meet, Williams was mourning the death of her grandmother, while Brown had not fully recovered from an operation he had after the Beijing Olympics.
According to Miller, if the allegations prove to be true this would constitute a breach of the Fair Competitions Act which, upon conviction in court, could result in a maximum fine of $5 million.
"UTech made a representation to the public that certain persons would have been at the track meet and they were not. As such, they may be in breach of the Fair Competition Act and we are currently conducting investigations," Miller told Star Sports yesterday.
"If indeed UTech is in breach we would then take the matter to court for a ruling. According to the law, the court would then define what sanctions, if any, would be applicable," he added.
foreign athletes
The second UTech Classic attracted a number of international athletes, including some attached to the MVP Track Club, which is based at UTech. Several MVP athletes, including women's Olympic 100m gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser, 400m hurdles gold medallist Melanie Walker and Brigitte Foster-Hylton, the national 100m hurdles record holder and Olympic 400m hurdlers finalist Markino Buckley competed at the meet
Hector Wheeler, a member of the Classic's organising committee, and head of the Department of Advancement at UTech, said he was aware of the investigations, but at this time could not comment on the matter.
"We had a press conference on Tuesday and all the relevant persons as it relates to the organisation of the meet were there. That was the moment for questions. Right now these persons are not here and I can't really give a response," Wheeler said.
Miller also explained the time frame that was involved in the process and the general ending of investigations.
"We started investigations yesterday (Wednesday) and it's pretty hard to tell how long it will take to complete. It may take between a month and three months.
"Each case is ruled upon differently and, as such, it would be difficult to say at this time what sanctions could be applied if they are found to be in breach," he said.
"One thing for sure is that there would not be a direct reimbursement to the public but rather, if there was a fine, it would go to the Government's consolidated fund.
Meanwhile, with the Jamaica International Invitational set for the National Stadium next weekend, Miller warned the organisers, saying that they need to ensure that athletes who are advertised turn up at the meet.
"I notice that there is another track meet coming, and similarly, we would like for the organisers to make sure that whatever representation they make to the public that they take the necessary steps to make sure the athletes turn up and run on the day.
"Some of these athletes are brands, and they have a name or reputation and consumers make an effort to see them. So if they are advertised the organisers need to ensure that he or she turns up," he said. The FTC was established in 1993 to administer the Fair Competition Act (FCA), which was enacted in March 1993. The FCA provides for the maintenance and encouragement of competition in the conduct of trade, business and in the supply of services in Jamaica.
Ian Allen - Olympic 400 metres hurdles champion Melaine Walker (centre) of MVP Track Club, crossing the line third in the women's 400m at the UTech Classic at the National Stadium.
Jermaine Lannaman, Star Writer
The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) has started investigations into the non-participation of several top-billed athletes at the just-concluded University of Technology (UTech) Track and Field Classic held at the National Stadium last Saturday.
David Miller, executive director of the FTC, said the commission, acting on complaints from the public, has been gathering information on the meet since Wednesday, and could, as early as next month, prepare a report on the findings.
Asafa no-show
It was advertised that athletes such as former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell, Olympic 400m silver medallist Shericka Williams, and Trinidad and Tobago's Darrell Brown would have participated, but they did not. Powell's coach withdrew him on the day of the meet, Williams was mourning the death of her grandmother, while Brown had not fully recovered from an operation he had after the Beijing Olympics.
According to Miller, if the allegations prove to be true this would constitute a breach of the Fair Competitions Act which, upon conviction in court, could result in a maximum fine of $5 million.
"UTech made a representation to the public that certain persons would have been at the track meet and they were not. As such, they may be in breach of the Fair Competition Act and we are currently conducting investigations," Miller told Star Sports yesterday.
"If indeed UTech is in breach we would then take the matter to court for a ruling. According to the law, the court would then define what sanctions, if any, would be applicable," he added.
foreign athletes
The second UTech Classic attracted a number of international athletes, including some attached to the MVP Track Club, which is based at UTech. Several MVP athletes, including women's Olympic 100m gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser, 400m hurdles gold medallist Melanie Walker and Brigitte Foster-Hylton, the national 100m hurdles record holder and Olympic 400m hurdlers finalist Markino Buckley competed at the meet
Hector Wheeler, a member of the Classic's organising committee, and head of the Department of Advancement at UTech, said he was aware of the investigations, but at this time could not comment on the matter.
"We had a press conference on Tuesday and all the relevant persons as it relates to the organisation of the meet were there. That was the moment for questions. Right now these persons are not here and I can't really give a response," Wheeler said.
Miller also explained the time frame that was involved in the process and the general ending of investigations.
"We started investigations yesterday (Wednesday) and it's pretty hard to tell how long it will take to complete. It may take between a month and three months.
"Each case is ruled upon differently and, as such, it would be difficult to say at this time what sanctions could be applied if they are found to be in breach," he said.
"One thing for sure is that there would not be a direct reimbursement to the public but rather, if there was a fine, it would go to the Government's consolidated fund.
Meanwhile, with the Jamaica International Invitational set for the National Stadium next weekend, Miller warned the organisers, saying that they need to ensure that athletes who are advertised turn up at the meet.
"I notice that there is another track meet coming, and similarly, we would like for the organisers to make sure that whatever representation they make to the public that they take the necessary steps to make sure the athletes turn up and run on the day.
"Some of these athletes are brands, and they have a name or reputation and consumers make an effort to see them. So if they are advertised the organisers need to ensure that he or she turns up," he said. The FTC was established in 1993 to administer the Fair Competition Act (FCA), which was enacted in March 1993. The FCA provides for the maintenance and encouragement of competition in the conduct of trade, business and in the supply of services in Jamaica.
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