1 Nov 2008

Australian track athlete banned

12:15 pm on 1 November 2008

The Australian sprinter Nathan Allen has been banned for two years for attempted use and possession of testosterone.

The International Association of Athletics Federations announced the two-year ban with a statement on its website.

Allen was arrested at the media launch of the 2008 Stawell Gift race in Melbourne last March for allegedly importing steroids.

The IAAF says the non-analytical doping violation was discovered due to co-operation between the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the Customs Service and Victorian Police.

Allen is banned until March 2010.