Gay suspended for 1 year, Returns Silver Medal

American sprinter Tyson Gay has been suspended for one year for using a banned substance.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency confirmed that the 31-year-old tested positive for an exogenous androgenic anabolic steroid and/or its metabolites in July 2012.

The American 100-metre record holder had tearfully ad­mitted last July he had failed an out-of-competition doping test, saying “I basically put my trust in someone and I was let down.”

The 31-year-old could have been suspended for two years for his first doping offence but received a reduction because of his substantial assistance into the investigation of his case, USADA said.

“We are thankful he deci­ded to come in and be truthful in his co-operation with us,” USADA chief executive Tra­vis Tygart told Reuters.

Gay will be eligible to return to competition in June of this year and will be eligible for future world championships and Olympics, Tygart said.

An investigation into the circumstances of his case is ongoing and his suspension is subject to appeal by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Agencies/Canadajournal