British athletes Linford Christie, Doug Walker and Gary Cadogan have had two-year bans upheld by international athletics chiefs after testing positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone. The trio had all protested their innocence and were cleared by UK Athletics, but were suspended by the International Amateur Athletics Federation who today confirmed the bans will be upheld.
Christie had already retired for competitive running when he tested positive, but the suspensions interrupted the careers of Scottish 200-metre sprinter Walker and 400m hurdler Cadogan. The suspensions have been imposed by the IAAF arbitration panel from the date the athletes tested positive. That means that Christie's ban dates from 13 February 1999, Walker's from 1 December 1998 and Cadogen from 28 November 1998. However, the IAAF said the ban will not affect Christie's coaching career. (PA)
