Bolt could lose 2008 medal after teammate tests positive

Usain Bolt could lose the gold medal won in the 4X100 metres relay category in the 2008 Olympics, after his teammate Nesta Carter failed a retrospective drugs test.

The failed drugs test by Nesta Carter (far left) could have the gold medal taken away from the entire Jamaican relay team, including Usain Bolt (right).

Usain Bolt’s 2008 Olympics 4x100 metres relay gold medal could be in jeopardy after teammate Nesta Carter was identified as one of 32 athletes who failed a retrospective drugs test, the Jamaica Gleaner reported on Friday. The Gleaner said a retest of Carter’s ‘A’ sample from the Beijing Games had found traces of the banned stimulant Methylexaneamine.

The result of retests of Carter’s ‘B’ sample was not yet known, The Gleaner said, citing 'well-placed sources'. Carter, 30, ran the first leg for Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team in Beijing, which also included Michael Frater, Asafa Powell and superstar Bolt.

The team took gold in what was then a new world record of 37.10 seconds, ahead of Trinidad and Tobago, and Japan. Carter was also a member of Jamaica’s gold medal-winning relay teams at the 2011, 2013 and 2015 World Championships as well as the 2012 Olympic Games.

If Carter is subjected to doping sanctions, it could mean Bolt stands to lose his relay gold.

In previous doping cases where individual members of a medal-winning relay squad have tested positive, the whole team is stripped of its medal. The United States men’s 4x100m team was stripped of its silver medals from the 2012 Olympics after Tyson Gay’s doping case.