Li-Ning has suspended its sponsorship of Asafa Powell after the Jamaican sprinter was formally placed under criminal investigation in Italy for possibly violating doping laws earlier this month. Italian police confiscated unidentified substances in a raid on the hotel where Asafa Powell, Jamaican teammate Sherone Simpson and their Canadian physical trainer were staying in the north-eastern town of Lignano Sabbiadoro, after the athletes tested positive for banned stimulants. Both Powell and the Olympic 4x100 meters relay silver medalist reportedly tested positive for the stimulant oxilophrine at the latest national championships, in Jamaica in June. Li-Ning said that it was suspending the deal with Powell pending the outcome of the investigation, adding that it would immediately terminate the contract should he be found to be involved in the use of banned stimulants.

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