LaTasha Jenkins and Valpo Sports Law Clinic win case against U.S. Anti-Doping Agency
Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has dropped its appeal of the arbitration decision clearing LaTasha Jenkins of doping charges. Jenkins, who is free to return to competition, was represented by the Valparaiso University School of Law’s Sports Law Clinic.

In its letter withdrawing the appeal, WADA wrote “Having carefully reviewed the scientific data of this case, which includes material not available to us from the initial hearing, WADA has reached the conclusion that the adverse analytical findings cannot lead to a sanction of Jenkins.”

In December 2007, an arbitration panel in the case United States Anti-Doping Agency vs. LaTasha Jenkins set aside her test results and found Jenkins not guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs. In February, WADA appealed to the Court for the Arbitration of Sport.

“I am happy and relieved that this process of a year and nine months is over,” Jenkins said. “I intend to resume my athletic career when circumstances permit. I’m confident my reputation has been restored and I want to move on with my life.”

Jenkins lost nearly two years of her running career and forfeited her endorsement contract as a result of the doping charges.

According to available records, this is the first case in which an athlete was successfully defended against an allegation of doping brought by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Michael Straubel, director of Valparaiso’s Sports Law Clinic and an associate professor of law, argued the case along with four third-year Valparaiso law students who are clinic members.

“It was a good day for athletes,” Straubel said. “The panel acknowledged that an allegation of doping is a serious matter which profoundly affects an athlete, and laboratories therefore must ensure the highest scientific reliability of the testing process. We support efforts to stop the use of performance-enhancing drugs and are proud of our work in this case.”

Jenkins, who competes in the 100- and 200-meter sprint events, won the silver medal at the 2001 World Track Indoor Championships and the bronze medal at the 2001 World Track Championships.

Valparaiso’s Sports Law Clinic (www.sportslawclinic.org) was founded in 2005 and provides need-based pro bono legal assistance to amateur athletes and coaches. The clinic has handled numerous national, state and local cases and operated on-site at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.

For more information:
Tom Shaer
Media Relations Consultant, Valparaiso University School of Law
224-305-2551
shaermedia@aol.com
www.sportslawclinic.org and www.valpo.edu/law