U.S. sprinter Spearmon tests positive for banned substance

Spearmon, 29, tested positive at a meeting in Edmonton, Canada in July for methylprednisolone, a banned substance contained in a prescribed medication the twice Olympian was taking under the care of a physician, USADA said.

U.S. sprinter Spearmon tests positive for banned substance

(Reuters)





Only six men have ever run the 200m faster than the three- times world championship medallist whose lifetime best time is 19.65 seconds.

He had hinted at the suspension last week in a tweet on his account.

"In about a week, I'll make a statement that will disappoint quite a few people," Spearmon said. "I apologise in advance. Irresponsible moments."

The doping agency said that after a thorough review, it had accepted Spearmon’s explanation that the substance was not being used in an effort to enhance his performance but because he had not applied for an exemption which can be granted for legimate medical need, he was suspended for three months.

"Morning world time to man up," Spearmon said on Twitter on Friday. "I imagine today will be tough but it will pass."

His ineligibility began on Aug. 27 and he has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to July 6, 2014, USADA said.





(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina, editing by Ed Osmond)


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world