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Outcome unknown

Christie attends disciplinary hearing in drug case

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Posted: Friday September 03, 1999 05:38 PM

Christie has declared his innocence since the result of his test was announced Aug. 4. Mark Dadswell/Allsport

LONDON (AP) -- Linford Christie, the 1992 Olympic 100-meter champion, appeared before a disciplinary panel Friday on a drug charge but wasn't expected to know the outcome of the hearing until after the weekend.

Though retired and only running for fun while he coaches other sprinters, Christie was suspended after testing positive for the steroid Nandrolone after an indoor meet at Dortmund, Germany, in February.

UK Athletics, the sport's national governing body, said the 39-year-old Briton faced a three-man panel at the hearing. If found guilty, he faces a two-year ban.

"The hearing has concluded and we will make a further announcement as soon as the outcome is known," UK Athletics spokeswoman Jayne Pearce said.

A strong anti-drug campaigner, Christie has declared his innocence since the result of his test was announced Aug. 4 and vowed to clear his name.

"I have consistently opposed the use of banned substances by athletes, and it is ridiculous to imagine I would take them after my retirement," Christie said after UK Athletics confirmed his positive test.

"I am completely innocent of any wrongdoing and any case against me will be vigorously defended."

UK Athletics has launched a campaign for more reliable tests for Nandrolone.

Jamaican sprinter Merlene Ottey was the latest high-profile athlete to test positive for the steroid.

The 39-year-old Jamaican withdrew from the World Championships just before the start of competition after learning that traces of Nandrolone were found in her urine sample at a meet in Lucerne, Switzerland, on July 5. Ottey also has vowed to clear her name.

 

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