Colorado Springs, CO (My Sportsbook) - United States Olympian LaShawn Merritt has been suspended for 21 months for a doping violation. Merritt was the Olympic champion in the 400 meters and was part of the U.S. gold medal winning team in the 1,600 meter relay at the 2008 Beijing Games. According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, out-of-competition urine samples collected from October 28, 2009, December 8, 2009 and January 16, 2010 resulted in a positive test for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). An independent arbitration panel issued its decision on Monday. Merritt's suspension is retroactive to October 28, 2009, the date of the first collected sample. He has been disqualified from all results from that date and must forfeit any medals, points or prizes. |
