US sprinter Tyson Gay also tested positive at US nationals

Sprinter Tyson Gay failed more than one drug test this year, recording one of his positives at the U.S. championships in June, where he won the 100 and 200 metres, The Associated Press learned on Friday.

Earlier this month, Gay revealed he had tested positive in an out-of-competition test he took May 16.

Three people familiar with the case told the AP that Gay had multiple positives this year. One of those people said one positive came at nationals and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has notified him of that result.

The people did not want their names used because the doping case against Gay is ongoing and the details have not been made public.

Gay’s representatives did not immediately respond to attempts by the AP to reach them.

Gay has already surrendered his spot at next month’s world championships. If a positive test from nationals is confirmed by his “B” sample, those results would be vacated, though it’s likely they would be anyway because of his May 16 positive.

A first-time offence for doping usually brings with it a two-year ban, though athletes who co-operate with USADA sometimes get reduced penalties.

One person familiar with the case told AP the multiple positives over a short period of time are a sign of an athlete who wasn’t trying to hide anything, but simply didn’t know he was taking a banned drug.

When he admitted to the earlier positive, Gay fought back tears during a phone interview.

“I don’t have a sabotage story. I don’t have any lies. I don’t have anything to say to make this seem like it was a mistake or it was on USADA’s hands, someone playing games,” he said. “I don’t have any of those stories. I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down.”

Since news of his positive, media reports have linked Gay to Clayton Gibson, an anti-aging doctor based in Atlanta. In an email sent to AP, Gibson would not confirm Gay was among his patients.

Gay has been the most-watched U.S. male sprinter for the past several years and has long sold himself as a clean athlete.

The 30-year-old, who won the world championship in the 100, 200 and 4×100 relay in 2007, took part in USADA’s “My Victory” program — in which athletes volunteer for enhanced testing to prove they’re clean — and his results never raised red flags.

Until, that is, the out-of-competition test in May. Results came back positive for a banned substance, the identity of which he has not been revealed.

The latest news adds to a slew of negative headlines for track. Asafa Powell, the former 100-meter world record holder, has also tested positive, as has his Jamaican teammate, Sherone Simpson, a three-time Olympic medallist .

Finally feeling healthy after years of nagging injuries, Gay was among those expected to push Usain Bolt at worlds next month, but instead of racing in Moscow, he’ll be resolving his doping case.

Asked on Thursday about the series of doping cases, Bolt said, “definitely, it’s going to set us back a little bit.”

He insisted he was clean.

“So I’m just going to continue running, using my talent and just trying to improve the sport,” he said.