THE International Olympic Committee have reaffirmed that 400 metres champion LaShawn Merritt will be ineligible to defend his title at the 2012 Olympics in London.
The 24-year-old was this week banned for 21 months, backdated to October last year, after failing three drugs tests, meaning he will be able to compete again on 27 July, 2011.
But a rule that came into force just before the Beijing Olympics in 2008 prevents any athlete banned for more than six months from competing in the following Games.
That means, although Merritt will be eligible to race at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea next year, he will be banned for the London Olympics.
The IOC said yesterday: “The Osaka rule states very clearly that any athlete sanctioned for more than six months will be banned from participation in the next edition of the Games.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here