Trinidad and Tobago's ace sprinter Ato Boldon after testing positive for the banned substance, ephedrine, says he made a mistake and he's only human.

In a release yesterday , the IAAF said Boldon tested positive to the banned substance, ephedrine, at a meeting in April during the Mt Sac Relays in the United States.

Istvan Gyulai, general secretary of athletics' world governing body, confirmed Boldon's positive test at a media conference in Melbourne.

Boldon, 27, will not be suspended as the offence only carries the penalty of a public warning.

"What happened was that I had just returned from the South African meet where I contracted a cold and so I purchased a cough syrup, Nyquil, over the counter," Boldon told this reporter yesterday.

"I did not think at the time that I was going to be competing so I never thought there would be any problem at the time with taking the cough medicine," he added.

Boldon admits he was notified by the National Amateur Athletic Association first about the outcome of the random test. As usual and in keeping with the rules of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), "they first made contact with my association, the National Amateur Athletics Association (NAAA) about the results from sample A. When they told me I was shocked, but I understood how it happened and told them so."

A letter was sent to the NAAA from the IAAF, outlining what was found in Ato's system and also showing what he declared before racing that afternoon on April (27th). "Yes before every race, you have to declare any medication, you may be on and actually it clearly states on that letter and the attached form, that I declared the drug called Flumatine, which is a prescription drug, which shows I was sick at the time,."

While there is no automatic ban for taking such a drug, it is not a steroid, and Ato admits, "I have learnt my lesson when it comes to even cough medicine, I have seen other people being caught like this and wondered how it happened."

"Also this in a way, shows all those in the world, who believe that I was being protected by certain people in the drug testing cases that I am being tested like everyone else. In fact that week I got tested almost three times, and it was only on the last occasion, they found the cough medicine because at that stage I was competing and this is one of many drugs not allowed when competing," Boldon said.

"So it may seem strange, but I am relieved, that now that those who also speak about me and drugs now know that I am not safe from any infractions of the law when it comes to drugs and that anything that I do, is given as much notice and action as anyone else. There is no preferential treatment," he noted.

Boldon understands however, "that there will be people who will read one thing or another into this and I cannot help that, except to say to those who believe in me, that my motto is: win or lose clean and fair and no drugs." "Let's face the facts. What I am doing now is taking accountability for my actions.

" I am not ducking the issue. I took an over the counter medication, it was too close to an event, and it was positive. It is like when people have allergies and they take tablets that contain the same ephedrine," Boldon added. "At the end of the day, when the test results are released from Sample B, I want the public, especially those in my country of Trinidad and Tobago, to know that I will never do anything to shorten my life and therefore drugs have no part in my career," Boldon stressed.

Boldon was also confident of the support of his coach John Smith and Manager Emmanuel Hudson. "I kept this very close to me, until the second sample was revealed, and I only told John Smith and Emmanuel Hudson about it, because I did not want to upset the other members of the team's minds especially as they have the US trials coming up shortly."

Boldon wants to send a message as he prepares for 2002: "I want everyone to know that Ato Boldon will never do anything to bring shame on Trinidad and Tobago, my family and ultimately myself.

"In the final analysis the truth will set you free and that is what I have done."

"I have received a lot of support from the few people that knew. They all understand it was a mistake and it cost me. But I have to learn from it and go on and try to win Trinidad and Tobago some medals later this year," he warned his competition.

The second sample was concluded on Tuesday, June 19 and results should have been released on Wednesday of that week, but it was not as there was some contention surrounding it. It was finally released yesterday.

As to his sponsorships and endorsements and his career following this news, a strong-willed Boldon vowed to fight on. "My sponsorship deals are all okay, my sponsors understand that Ato does not and will not tolerate the taking of steroids (drugs) and that I am beginning today and everyday since I found out, am ensuring that I continue to follow the strict rules of the IAAF, as I have done in the past, even when it involves a cold medicine."

"I have given my reasons for the positive test to the powers-that-be and they have accepted it, but I have noted the warning and assure everyone that this will not happen to me again, because I am drug free."

"One thing about John Smith is that, he believes in the natural way of running. I just do not want this to affect me, as I am now beginning to regain my best form, the four-time Olympic mdedallist said.

"A fact is a fact, but Ato Boldon is not running away. In fact I am here to stay and win gold medals, so everyone better be aware of that," he ended.

Why is it that some sports in Trinidad and Tobago gain more coverage than others?

Is it because of the popularity of the sport internationally or is the work of media?

In most cases it could be a combination of both, but that not withstanding, many times so called lesser sports (only because of coverage mind you) are falling by the wayside because of the lack of promotion by their organizations.

This though in computer language, is like a circular dilemma, because to become popular, a sport has to appeal to a large amount of the population and to do this, the media must play a strong hand.

So unless you can influence the media, the smaller sports will get the bits and pieces of the pie in Trinidad and Tobago, while the major players can sit by and smile because the interest is there not from their work, but rather those of their international counterparts. Cricket and football are the chief beneficiaries of this.

As a sporting minnow, the administrators with the assistance of the athletes involved in their sport have to get up and make themselves known with not only their achievements, but rather with their long term planning.

Results are worth a lot in any business and media coverage whether sporting associations like it or not, is about business, television and radio can only sell what will appeal to a sponsor based on its appeal to the public. We all need each other, so co-operation is not only essential but also critical.

However the media needs to give some chance for any sport to exist in a democratic country, everyone has different tastes and preferences in sport and in life, to alienate a few just to please many is wrong.

It is time for every Sport in Trinidad and Tobago to rise from the debacle that has existed in football and cricket and learn that even though these sports may internationally be popular; that is their only legacy in Trinidad and Tobago. Each sport must set its own rules and regulations, and administrators must know their place and worth, they must not try to exceed the sporting personalities at any level.

Success should be based on teamwork and friendship with its share of constructive criticism, not dictatorship and one way compromise by rulers too long in the tooth to visit a dentist, because there is no cure for old age.

PRESIDENT of the Barbados Football Association (BFA), Ronald Jones, is confident that vice-president of FIFA, Jack Warner, was not speaking about Barbados when he recently criticised some Caribbean Football Associations on their spending of funds from the sport’s governing body.

Trinidadian-born Warner, who is also president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), lashed out against regional associations for the lack of planning and development of the sport in the Caribbean despite FIFA’s grant of an annual US$250 000 subvention to each association over the last three years.

“Barbados [is] not in that category,” said Jones, adding that there had been concerns that some countries had been unscrupulous in the spending of the grant.

The BFA president said Barbados has spent its money on administration, competitions and for developmental purposes.

“I know that there have been dubious competitions, such as the Windward Islands Tournament last year which didn’t have the blessings of the CFU, so we [Barbados] did not participate.

“We have followed all of the FIFA guidelines and mandates concerning the grant,” he added.

“FIFA receives all of our receipts on how we spent the funds, plus an audited financial report and they have never had a problem with our affairs.”

Warner made his remarks on the CMC’s Talk Caribbean television show which was aired on Sunday. He was angry that some regional associations seemed to believe the FIFA funding was to replace funding from either the corporate sector or government.

“As far as I am aware, Mr Warner has no problem with Barbados,” said Jones.

“He has even expressed that he was quite pleased with what Barbados has been doing so far with the funds.In fact, he used us as an example on the same show.”

Jones said the BFA was not resting on its laurels and planned to follow up on the work that had been done so far.

“We still have a lot to do. We have to maintain the consistency of our training programme and keep the Under-21, Under-19, Under-17 and, soon, the Under-15 youth programmes in place,” he said.

As Ato Boldon headed into the Goodwill Games following a 2nd (100 metres) and 4th place (200 metres)finish in Brussels on Friday at the Golden League meet.

27-year-old Trinidad and Tobago leading athlete Ato Boldon will be back and he will be better for his defeat in the World Championships 100 metres in Edmonton, Canada, says his Mum, Hope Boldon who spoke with this reporter.

"In life things happen for a reason at all times and Ato is a religious person just like myself, and I feel that what he experienced was a -Come to Jesus moment-, a sharp slap on your face and it makes you stand up and think of what you are doing and where you are going," Hope Boldon stated.

"It makes you understand that there is pain in the world and the pain that you receive, as Ato received after the 100 metres can allow you to be reflective and analytical, and I know my son has done that," he added.

"When lost that race, I saw a side of him that is like me, it told me was really having a serious moment of contemplating where does he go next, so that he can be more successful in the 100 metres...he pulled himself away and likes to be by himself at this time," Hope Boldon noted.

"Ato is a complex person, he is a thinker, and he knows that he wants to do better in the 100 metres, but he also knows that there were reasons why he did not do as well as he and all of us wanted. But we as his family are all here to give him support, we know he had a number of issues."

"As well if you listen to Ato and know him as you do, he knows there is another career and life after track for Ato Boldon. To me in that you can see that Maurice Greene is run no matter what and at all costs, while Ato's approach is more of - live to run again at another time-,"

Hope believes that there are a lot of things that Ato has to reconsider including where he wants to be in the next few years," He knows that he needs to move on and he can do it, he has the ability,"

"But at the same time, it must be known that Ato is aware that while wining is important, her is not about winning no matter what, because knows that there is a life after drugs and track is not that important, all this talk of drugs would not happen to Ato,"

"He is a clean loser, he will win clean and lose clean,"

Hope Boldon though is convinced that Ato's legacy to date of Four Olympic Medals and three World Championships medals has spilt a lot of people in the region especially in Trinidad and Tobago," What Ato has done continuous for around the last ten years, is bring a lot of success and medals to Trinidad and Tobago, and we were not accustomed to this continuous success year after year, we had only experience it in spurts before,"

"It has therefore spoilt everyone and they have begun to accept it and almost cannot accept that he does not win a medal, but we need to be understanding, Ato is a human being and there will be days when he does not achieve what we expect, but the strength of our support for him, is in how much we keep faith in him during the difficult times,"

"My son has a lot of qualities which suggest he will grow and learn from the events of Edmonton and whatever decision he makes, he will have our fullest support," Hope Boldon revealed.

Despite Ato Boldon's third place medal as part of the Trinidad and Tobago 4 x 100 metres relay team in the recent World Championships, there are still a lot of questions to be answered.

Trinidad and Tobago's premier athlete Ato Boldon's fourth place in the recent World Championships 100 metres final and his decision not to run in the 200 metres has caused a major stir among many of his loyal Trinidad and Tobago faithful.

There are many who believe that he needs to leave the stable of teammate and World and Olympic 100 metres Champion Maurice Greene, and also some who believe that he has become soft since his marriage to the beautiful Cassandra two years ago.

Cassandra Boldon speaking to this reporter quietly refutes that claim," Ato is still in my opinion a great athlete and one race does not make an athlete ...just because Ato did not get a medal will in anyway make his achievements now and in the future any less,"

"It is a fact that Ato and I have been together since 1995 and we have got closer over the years and when Ato was doing well, no one ever mentioned that marriage was a problem, but in a way, this shows just how much Ato means to Trinidad and Tobago. But I know he will back and win and make everyone happy," she added.

"I think marriage in fact has made Ato a better all-round athlete, he can refocus all his attention on matters on the field and no that a loved one will take care of all his other needs, what has been good has been the support he has received from the West Indians in Canada,"he noted.

Cassandra admits though," I felt for him, I really did, I could see my husband sitting there, just doing a lot of thinking about what is happening with him. I wanted him to win as well,"

"I think he has to reassess this stage of his career and where he wants to go from here, he is young enough to do that and also if you know Ato, you know he is competitive. He is going to have to make some adjustments,"

"But he knows he has a lot of people supporting him and talking to him," she stated. Cassandra also reveal that there were long discussions on Ato's participation in the 100 metres," There were those of us, that felt that he should run the 200 metres not the 100 metres because of the virus he had, plus his back problems, but he felt he had already won the 200 metres gold and was trying for 100 metres success,"

Cassandra, relaxed but obviously concerned about her husband says,"Ato is a fighter, I see that all the time (she laughs), in a good way, he is intelligent and his thought processes are always working. He will find a way back very easily,"

"I believe that he has a 100 metres championship in him, even before the Olympics in 2004, he has the Goodwill Games, World Championships and other events.

" On the pressing topic of Ato's relationship with Maurice Greene, Cassandra calmly stated," That has to be answered both ways, as we also have to ask what does knowing Ato bring to the table for Maurice, in the end though I believe everyone has benefited and still benefit in one way or the other,"

"They are different persons, but yet still they are close friends and there is a lot of respect and understanding, but saying that I want my husband to beat Maurice when they compete and I want him to win the 100 metres,"she remarked.

"One thing Ato knows is that he has a lot of love on his side, and that will not stop, because I am very committed to him and he knows , that I know he felt he has disappointed a lot of people in Trinidad and Tobago, and he will be out to correct this," "But people need to understand that Ato gave of his best on the day and actually ran a time of 9.98,"

"Whatever he decides, I am with him and will be there, he knows that, I hope he can more support in Trinidad and Tobago as well,"she concluded.