Athletics: There is increasing uncertainty about the validity of the positive doping test of Irish 1,500-metre runner Gareth Turnbull, reports Ian O'Riordan.
The Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI) yesterday lifted the provisional suspension handed to Turnbull last Monday, when he was notified by the Irish Sports Council of an alleged anti-doping violation stemming from an out-of-competition test in September of last year.
While the Sports Council's anti-doping code orders the provisional suspension of the athlete from the date of notification, the protocol of international federation - in this case the IAAF - allows the athlete the chance to make a submission before any suspension can be applied.
After discussing the issue at two emergency meetings, the AAI released a statement yesterday: "The AAI was instructed by the Irish Sports Council to immediately provisionally suspend the athlete concerned, pursuant to Article 7.8.1 of the Anti-Doping Rules and did so.
"Subsequently the AAI was informed of concerns raised by the athlete in relation to the imposition of the provisional suspension.
"In the circumstances, and in the interests of natural justice, the AAI has rescinded the decision to provisionally suspend the athlete and has requested a written explanation for the A-sample results from the athlete by 5pm on Wednesday the 21st of June."
While Turnbull has denied any wrongdoing, it is up to him to explain how his testosterone levels in the doping test had an alleged reading of between 5.8 and 5.9 - above the permissible level, 4.
