Athletics: I'm innocent, says Games pole vaulter

LONDON - British pole vaulter Janine Whitlock protested her innocence from doping yesterday, the day after UK Athletics announced she had failed a drugs test.

Whitlock, a leading contender for a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester this month, tested positive for the anabolic steroid methandienone at the Games trials on June 16.

"I'm innocent. I've done nothing wrong and that's the truth," Whitlock said.

"I can't help what other people think, but I am going to stay strong.

"It's been a nightmare since I was told, but I know at the end of the day I am totally innocent."

Whitlock, 28, has until Saturday to request a test on the B sample, but could face a two-year ban if found guilty.

It is unclear whether Whitlock, who will represent England, can compete at the Commonwealth Games.

Under the rules of UK Athletics, the body that governs the sport in Britain, she cannot be suspended until the case has been examined by a drugs advisory officer.

An independent officer has been appointed, but before it can act, UK Athletics is waiting for more information from Whitlock and has given her a deadline of July 23 - two days before the start of the Games.

If there were a case to answer, Whitlock would be suspended pending the result of the independent disciplinary committee.

Whitlock has been Britain's leading pole vaulter for six years and set her latest national record of 4.41m at the Commonwealth Games trials last month.

- REUTERS

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