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Athletics

Ohuruogu ban upheld

04/04/2007

Christine Ohuruogu has failed in her attempt to overturn a one year ban for missing three consecutive drugs tests after the court of arbitration for sport [CAS] rejected her appeal.

Ohuruogu, the current Commonwealth 400m champion, was given a 12-month ban by the International Association of Athletics Federations [IAAF] for missing three out-of-competition tests last season.

The CAS was keen to point out that Ohuruogu had been a victim of the stringent anti-doping rules and that she was not being accused of having taken drugs.

Ohuruogu had hoped that the severity of the ban would be decreased by the CAS but it chose to support the initial decision of the IAAF.

A CAS statement said: "There is no suggestion that she is guilty of taking drugs in order to enhance her performance or otherwise and, indeed, this case can be viewed in all the circumstances as a busy young athlete being forgetful."

UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner added: "UK Athletics is committed to working with all anti-doping agencies to ensure an out-of-competition testing regime is in place that is transparent and fair to all athletes, and that is harmonised across all sports."
Ohuruogu had said before today's ruling that she would consider retiring from the sport if her appeal was not upheld.

UK Athletics has in the past overlooked athletes who have served drug bans when it came to Olympic selection, however, the nature of Ohuruogu's offence may not rule her out completely.

Warner concluded: "We welcome CAS' confirmation that there is no suggestion that Christine is guilty of taking drugs, and would like to see her return to competition following the conclusion of her ban."

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