World 100 metres champion Christian Coleman has been provisionally suspended and faces the prospect of missing next year’s Tokyo Olympics after he was accused of violating anti-doping rules on whereabouts.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) confirmed on Wednesday that it has imposed “a provisional suspension against Christian Coleman of the USA for whereabouts failures, a violation of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules” after the 24-year-old had released a lengthy statement on Twitter on Tuesday night.
Athletics Integrity Unit
(@aiu_athletics)The AIU confirms a provisional suspension against Christian Coleman of the USA for whereabouts failures, a violation of the @WorldAthletics Anti-Doping Rules.
Find out more ⬇️https://t.co/opInfkVlnV#AIUNews#CleanSport pic.twitter.com/JPMAh41EkeJune 17, 2020
Three failures to properly file whereabouts information in a 12-month period can result in a one- or two-year suspension. Coleman, who also helped the United States to 4x100m gold at the World Championships in Doha, acknowledged the failure would count as his third in a 12-month span but said he was willing to take responsibility for only one.
“I want to make you all aware of a situation I’m currently dealing with,” Coleman said. “A few days ago, the AIU came to a decision that I’ve been appealing for six months that I missed a test on December 9th, 2019.
“And now this might result in me being suspended from other filing failures that occurred well over a year ago at this point.”
Christian Coleman
(@__coleman)Y’all know this is wrong @aiu_athletics something needs to change. “Integrity unity” smh pic.twitter.com/Z2TQvNt8hQ
June 16, 2020
The two other failures occurred on 16 January, 2019 and 26 April, 2019. The sprinter said he was out Christmas shopping on 9 December accusing anti-doping agents of setting a trap to get him.
“Don’t tell me I ‘missed’ a test if you sneak up on my door (parked outside the gate and walked through…there’s no record of anyone coming to my place) without my knowledge,” said Coleman. “Knocked while I was Christmas shopping five minutes away at the mall (I have receipts and bank statements) and didn’t even bother to call me or attempt to reach me.
“I was more than ready and available for testing if I had received a phone call,” adding he believed it was “a purposeful attempt to get me to miss a test.”
Coleman, a double silver medallist in the 100m and 4x100m relay at the 2017 worlds in London, escaped suspension last year when USADA, after receiving guidance from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on how to calculate the 12-month window, withdrew the charge. The sprinter later demanded an apology from USADA.
“I have never and never will use performance-enhancing supplements or drugs,” said Coleman. “I am willing to take a drug test every single day for the rest of my career for all I care to prove my innocence.”