Athletics: Whitlock's two-year ban after positive steroid test

The pole vaulter Janine Whitlock has been found guilty of a doping offence by UK Athletics and banned from action until July 2004.

Whitlock missed the Commonwealth Games after testing positive for the banned steroid methandienone at the English Commonwealth trials in June.

She later accepted, having considered the evidence provided to her, that the substance was present in the sample she gave on 16 June. A statement from UK Athletics read: "Janine Whitlock acknowledges that as UK Athletics' doping rules impose strict liability, it is not open to the independent Disciplinary Committee to consider her claim that she had never intentionally or knowingly taken a prohibited substance.

"The committee confirmed a doping offence has taken place. Janine Whitlock is therefore ineligible to take part in athletics events for two years."

Whitlock's coach Brian Hooper protested her innocence. He said: "It's exactly what I knew would happen. They have stated liability within the rules governing drug taking. It doesn't mean that Janine is guilty. I know she has never taken steroids. It is just the rules as they stand and she has been suspended for two years."