Athletics: Wariso may renew fight: Sprinter considers another appeal over ban

SOLOMON WARISO is considering whether to continue fighting to clear his name after a three-month ban for taking the banned stimulant, ephedrine, was upheld by a British Athletic Federation disciplinary hearing.

The sprinter's solicitor, Nick Bitel, said yesterday: 'Solomon is bitterly upset at the decision. There are a number of options.'

Those include a further appeal to the BAF, asking it to constitute a new panel of judges. Beyond that lies an appeal to the International Amateur Athletic Federation or going to law.

Wariso, 27, can also ask the British Olympic Association not to trigger a life-long Games ban. A BOA spokeswoman said: 'If it is a minor violation, or there are significant mitigating circumstances, eligibility can be restored.'

Haringey, the holders of the British League Gold Cup, have been ruled out of the final at Bedford tomorrow because Wariso helped them to the final within the period covered by his ban. Cardiff were asked to take Haringey's place, but declined because they could not do themselves justice at such short notice.

The three-man hearing, headed by the tough anti- drugs campaigner, Sir Arthur Gold, heard Wariso's plea that he took 'Up Your Gas' health remedy tablets innocently.

Under IAAF rules, one of the arguments which is specifically ruled out as the basis of a defence is 'an allegation that a prohibited substance was taken by mistake.'

Bitel, however, said: 'The tribunal came to the decision despite the BAF admitting that Solomon was not a cheat, and that his use of a banned substance was wholly accidental. To any fair-minded person, the decision must appear to be perverse. If a system cannot differentiate between his case and that of deliberate cheating, it brings itself into disrepute. There must be a change to prevent any repetition of this monstrously unfair decision.'

It has emerged that one of the three club athletes whom the BAF announced last month as having tested positive was Marcus Browning, a javelin thrower with Team Solent.

Browning tested positive for a Class A stimulant carrying a statutory four-year ban after finishing eighth in the javelin in the Gold Cup semi-final at Corby on 31 July. A late replacement for the team, he threw a modest 41.68 metres after arriving with minutes to spare after being at a party the previous night.

He has told BAF he does not want the B sample tested and will forego his right to a hearing. He has resigned from Team Solent and retired from the sport.

He is the second Team Solent athlete to fall foul of the drug testing system. Three years ago, Robert Hamilton- Jones, a middle-distance runner, declined to take a test and was banned for four years.

The London marathon is seeking another sponsor to take the place of Nutrasweet after next year's race on 2 April.