The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

He was sidelined by a doping violation that prevented him from making his initial trip to the IAAF World Championships last year. But Olympic sprinter Trevorvano Mackey apologised to the Bahamian public, saying he has learned from his mistake and he is now looking forward to getting his track and field career back on track.

Mackey, 22, tested positive for a banned substance at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) BTC National Track and Field Championships at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in June, 2013.

Although he had qualified to travel to Moscow, Russia for the IAAF World Championships in August, Mackey didn’t make the trip. Instead, he had to wait for a hearing with the Bahamas Anti-Doping Commission (BADC), which is responsible for all doping control in the country.

That meeting was eventually held after the completion of the championships and Mackey was eventually vindicated and allowed to compete again. He was entered in the BAAA season opening Odd Distance Meet on January 4 at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium, but didn’t complete the 150 metres.

“I always felt that I was a clean athlete in the sport,” Mackey said. “Some times things happen and it could just be a test. It could happen to anybody and I just had to prove my innocence. The whole thing is now sorted out. I really didn’t think that I did anything wrong, but if there are people out there who feel that I did, I want to apologise to them.”

The former Doris Johnson Secondary High standout, who went on to compete for South Plains Junior College, has now been enrolled at Texas Tech where he intends to continue his track and field career this year.

“That’s the most important part about it,” Mackey said. “I was able to get back in school and I get to get back on the track again. I feel blessed because in the sports world, plenty people don’t get over bridges like that. Just very few.

“But like I say, I was able to prove my innocence. I don’t regret what took place. Certain things that take place are actually a lesson learned. So I have no regrets. Everything that happened was a lesson learned. That’s why I’m glad that I am back in college because anything could happen.”

With the collegiate season already started with indoors, Mackey said he can’t wait to report to Texas Tech.

“I just want to get back on the college circuit to start winning some NCAA titles and hopefully after that I can start my pro career,” he said. “From a young boy, that was my goal. But it’s important for me now to try and get my education because this whole ordeal has shown me that anything could happen and your track and field career could be over in a matter of time.”

Mackey, who has been home training under his local coach David Charlton, apologised to the Bahamian people for any embarrassment that may have occurred as a result of his positive testing. He said it wasn’t something that he intentionally went out and did.

“Anybody who knows me knows that I won’t admittedly take any illegal substance,” he said. “I don’t know what I will have to do to take anything because I don’t associate myself with anyone who does that type of thing. I try to stay away from anyone who is doing anything negative. So I was really surprised when they told me that I tested positive. I really didn’t know what to do. I just want to say to the Bahamian people that I am sorry that I got caught in this situation, but it wasn’t something that I went out there and planned to do.”

As one of the rising young sprinters in the country, Mackey said he would like to advise those that are following him to be “very careful about any and everything that you take. Now, I don’t take anything without reading what is on the label. I am just so careful because I really don’t want this to happen to me again.

“I have asthma and right now, I try not to even look at my asthma pump. I’m just so careful now.”

During his ordeal, Mackey said he was in constant contact with ‘Golden Girl’ Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, whom he had admired from the time he started competing.

“Two years ago, I got a chance to compete on the same Olympic team with her,” he said. “She was really a big motivator for me. She stayed in touch with me and made sure that I went through the right procedure to get sorted out. I am really grateful that she was able to assist me, along with my coaches and my family. I had some positive people that really believed in and I believed in myself.”

Mackey said he’s hoping that he will get a chance to compete for the Bahamas at the IAAF World Relays at the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in May.

“I’ve made a few senior national teams, but I’ve never had a chance to compete at home,” he said. “So this will be a good chance for me to show the Bahamian people what I’m capable of doing. I can’t wait.”

Mackey said he’s just pleased to put the whole ordeal behind him and now he can concentrate on his future.