Did long jump world record holder get a ban for wishing death upon ‘junkies’ in Canada?

Long jump world record holder Mike Powell has been suspended indefinitely over a safeguarding concern, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Friday.

Powell, 61, who now works as a coach at Azusa Pacific University in California, is barred from a range of activities of World Athletics and Member Federations. He is also prohibited from attending hospitality or private access venues linked to events of World Athletics.

In sports, safeguarding typically refers to the protection of athletes or communities, particularly children and vulnerable adults, from any form of harm, abuse, or exploitation. The AIU has not specified the nature of the safeguarding concern, but Guy Felicella, Canadian public speaker and 'advocate for vulnerable people', shared an email, purportedly sent by Powell.

Felicella shared the content of the mail allegedly sent by Powell on the social media platform X. In the mail, the sender has taken objection to the Supervised Consumption Sites approved by the Canadian government for drug users.

"Canada needs to get rid of safe injection sites and free opioids for junkies. Canadians are sick and tired of the crime and chaos. Dead junkies can neither commit crimes nor cause chaos. Good riddance to all of them," the mail, allegedly sent by Powell, read.

It is unclear if the contents of the email led to Powell's suspension. News agency Reuters said it had yet to receive a response from Powell on the suspension. 

Powell set the men's long jump record of 8.95 metres in 1991 at the World Championships in Tokyo. The suspension has come on the eve of another World Championships, also to be held in Tokyo.