Javelin champ banned for missing tests
Reigning Commonwealth Games javelin champion Jarrod Bannister from Australia has been banned from competition for 20 months for missing three doping tests.
The ban will last until February 18, 2015, after which time the 28-year-old Bannister plans to return to competition.
In a post on his Facebook page on Thursday night, Bannister said he was suspended after a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing last month found him guilty of a breach of the athlete whereabouts policy.
The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) code recognises three missed doping tests in the space of 18 months as the equivalent of a failed test.
“Within the court reasons, it was found that there was no deliberate action by myself to avoid being tested, that finding is consistent with my defence submissions at the hearing on the 21 June 2013,” said Bannister.
“I respect the award issued by Mr Alan Sullivan SC , naturally I am still deeply disappointed at receiving the period of ineligibility.”
Bannister called on Athletics Australia, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and WADA to review their operations as “there are deficiencies in the way these organisations go about their business”.
Stay informed, daily
“I would encourage all athletes, parents, family, Athletic Governing bodies to read the 22 July 2013 Judgment which can be found on the ASADA website,” said Bannister.
“I hope that what has happened to me does not happen to any other Athlete.”
In a separate incident in late 2011, Bannister was banned from receiving support from any of the Australian institutes of sport following a funding breach.
In addition to winning the gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Bannister was a finalist at the 2008 Olympics and the 2011 world championships.
