Sally Pearson rival Dawn Harper-Nelson cops ban

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This was published 7 years ago

Sally Pearson rival Dawn Harper-Nelson cops ban

Updated

Colorado Springs: Sally Pearson's long-time rival, American Dawn Harper-Nelson, has been suspended for three months after testing positive for a banned substance.

The US Anti-Doping Agency announced the sanction on Wednesday (AEDT).

Dawn Harper-Nelson (right)  competing against Australia's Sally Pearson.

Dawn Harper-Nelson (right) competing against Australia's Sally Pearson.Credit: Getty Images

Harper-Nelson won gold in the 100 metres hurdles at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games – when Australian star Pearson took silver – and claimed silver when Pearson triumphed four years later in London.

USADA said Harper-Nelson, 32, tested positive for the prohibited substance hydrochlorothiazide and related metabolites in an out-of-competition sample.

She told USADA it was caused by blood pressure medication prescribed by a physician to treat hypertension.

In a statement posted on her Twitter account, Harper-Nelson said she has learnt "a valuable lesson and hope my mistake will serve as a reminder to all athletes to be diligent in thoroughly checking any and all prescribed medications".

Her period of ineligibility started on December 1.

AP

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