Obiena never tested positive

MANILA, Philippines — Dubai-based American CEO and athletics benefactor Jim Lafferty said yesterday world No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena never tested positive in any drug test and doesn’t need a performance-enhancing-substance to win. Lafferty lashed out at Anais Poumarat’s malicious and unsubstantiated rant where she accused Obiena of doping in a recent Facebook comment.

Poumarat is married to Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie, the 2012 Olympic pole vault gold medalist who at 37, has slipped in the world standings from a high of No. 2 to No. 43. Since last May, Lavillenie participated in only eight competitions with a single podium finish, third place for a season-high 5.61 compared to his indoor personal best of 6.16 and outdoor personal best of 6.06. Poumarat said, “Obiena doped and it’ll fall like Braz, same coach, same plan, same objective.” Obiena and Brazil’s 2016 Olympic gold medalist Thiago Braz are trained by Ukrainian Vitaliy Petrov. Braz tested positive for ostarine, a banned substance, and was suspended last July.

Lafferty said Obiena is randomly tested by the Athletics Integrity Unit and provides his location in advance on an online portal. “They can test EJ at any time unannounced,” he said. “EJ has been tested as often as three to four times in a particular week. He has never had a positive test and never even been sanctioned for missing a test. I know EJ, I know him inside and out, I know his character. He has never touched a performance-enhancing-drug and never even considered it.”

Lafferty said Poumarat’s accusation is a “libel case gift-wrapped.” He said “we are retaining counsel and exploring our options.” Lafferty said it’s a sad case of a bitter former champion who is grappling with aging and losing. “I don’t think he has ever congratulated EJ,” he added. “This is all about jealousy and he can’t handle how EJ beats him so he makes these accusations.  He has always treated EJ like a second-class citizen.  Could be French insecurity in the face of Filipino greatness.”