BBC SPORT | ATHLETICS | Richardson suspended over drug test

British athlete Mark Richardson has been suspended from competition pending a disciplinary hearing over his positive nandrolone test.

UK Athletics made the decision after the 400m runner's positive random urine test last October and his appearance before the governing body's drug advisory committee on Friday.

The meeting considered whether there was evidence that a doping offence took place.

As it stands I don't really know what is going on, although I have been informed I am suspended. I am still training as usual

Mark Richardson

The committee decided there is a case for 27-year-old Richardson to answer and UK Athletics have therefore imposed a suspension.

Doubts are growing over the origins of nandrolone, which has also shown up in samples given by British runners Linford Christie and Doug Walker.

Research by football's world ruling body Fifa found that the amount of the substance in the body could be affected by stress.

Richardson is one of the few men ever to defeat Olympic champion and world record holder Michael Johnson over 400m.

British fans have backed the athletes who tested positive
He revealed details of the positive test last month but has consistently protested his innocence, citing food substances as the cause of the failed drug test.

After UK Athletics announced the latest development Richardson said: "I'm not allowed to comment about the matter.

"As it stands I don't really know what is going on, although I have been informed I am suspended.

"I am still training as usual and remaining positive and it is still all systems go for me. I'll have to see what developments there are."

'Protein shake'

Last month Richardson revealed how the test took place as he was about to leave his home for a weight-lifting session.

The tester from UK Sport accompanied the runner to his local gym where the sample was eventually taken.

The 1996 Olympic 4x400m relay silver medallist revealed that with his breakfast he had drunk a "protein shake", comprising a glass of water containing acetyle-glutomine.

Before beginning his session Richardson had a second "protein shake" and a glass of isotonic energy drink Viper during the work-out.

He then undertook what was his 20th routine test of 1999. During the year he said he had been using the same supplements.


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