Olympic hurdles champion Dawn Harper-Nelson has released an extraordinary, emotional video message tearfully saying she feared for her life because sports drug authorities had banned her from taking important blood pressure medication.
Harper-Nelson sobbed as she said she feared for her life because her blood pressure had jumped causing her head aches and blurred vision yet she was prohibited by the US Anti-Doping Authority from taking the medicine doctors had told her she needed.
More Sports HQ Videos
- Video duration
- 00:44
Hurdles champion's emotional message over ...
Hurdles champion's emotional message over banned medication
Sally Pearson's rival Dawn Harper-Nelson posted an emotional video after she was banned from taking her blood pressure medication.
Up Next
Waratahs hold on against Force
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Waratahs hold on against Force
Waratahs hold on against Force
A second-half try to Will Skelton was enough for the Waratahs to squeak past the Force 19-13 win in Sydney.
Up Next
Melbourne and West Coast enjoy big wins
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Melbourne and West Coast enjoy big wins
Melbourne and West Coast enjoy big wins
Melbourne and West Coast have enjoyed 50+ point wins over Carlton and Fremantle respectively in the pre-season competition.
Up Next
Wellington stun Brisbane
- Video duration
- 01:26
- Video duration
- 01:26
Wellington stun Brisbane
Wellington stun Brisbane
Goals in either half from Shane Smeltz and Roy Krishna were enough to get the Phoenix past the Roar in Brisbane.
Up Next
Brumbies fall just short in Christchurch
- Video duration
- 01:27
- Video duration
- 01:27
Brumbies fall just short in Christchurch
Brumbies fall just short in Christchurch
The Crusaders have kicked off their Super Rugby campaign with a hard-fought win in Christchurch, downing a dogged Brumbies outfit 17-13.
Up Next
Spurs sink Clippers as Paul returns
- Video duration
- 01:25
- Video duration
- 01:25
Spurs sink Clippers as Paul returns
Spurs sink Clippers as Paul returns
San Antonio Spurs shook off the rust from a nine-day lay off to beat the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center.
Up Next
Merciless Canes kick off 2017 in style
- Video duration
- 01:29
- Video duration
- 01:29
Merciless Canes kick off 2017 in style
Merciless Canes kick off 2017 in style
The Hurricanes have started 2017 with a bang as they eased their way past the Sunwolves 83-17 in Tokyo.
Up Next
O'Keefe's incredible spell stuns India
- Video duration
- 01:22
- Video duration
- 01:22
O'Keefe's incredible spell stuns India
O'Keefe's incredible spell stuns India
Steve O'Keefe took 6 for 35 as India lost their last seven wickets for 11 runs as Australia finished the day with a 298 run lead.
Hurdles champion's emotional message over banned medication
Sally Pearson's rival Dawn Harper-Nelson posted an emotional video after she was banned from taking her blood pressure medication.
She is currently serving a three-month ban for taking a prohibited substance which is understood to have been an ingredient in her blood pressure medication. Now she has suffered another spike in blood pressure.
Harper-Nelson recorded a video message seemingly on her phone outside a medical centre. She grabbed at the peak of her cap panicking and in obvious distress at her situation.
Lost for words right now... pic.twitter.com/hsKPYIANsq
— Dawn Harper-Nelson (@DHarp100mH) February 24, 2017
"I just want to say this is not fair, I'm afraid for my life. I'm about to go into urgent care because my blood pressure is really high again and USADA said I can't take the medicine the doctor's giving me and they are giving me a new medicine. This is just not ok.
"My head is bothering me. My vision is kinda blurry and they say my blood pressure is high," she said breaking down in tears.
"I'm scared," she sobbed, squeezing the peak of her baseball cap tight down across her eyes. "People need to be aware this is not cool."
An official from USADA quickly reached out to her on Twitter asking her to contact them so they could help her.
Harper-Nelson had been due to fly to Australia only weeks ago to compete in the recent Nitro series but withdrew suddenly and without explanation. Days later it emerged she had been banned for three months for recording a positive drug test.
Harper-Nelson won gold in Beijing ahead of Sally Pearson, who won silver. The medals were then reversed in London when Pearson won gold ahead of Harper-Nelson.