'Male enhancement' pill gets gold medalist suspended
Olympic 400-meter champion LaShawn Merritt has been suspended for testing positive for banned testosterone prohormones, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced Monday. The failed tests, Merritt has admitted, were because he took a "male enhancement" product, ExtenZe.
Merritt flunked out-of-competition urine tests in October and December 2009 and January 2010. He was suspended for 21 months, retroactive to October 2009, even though USADA's investigation found Merritt "demonstrated tremendous characted in making what had to be a painful and humiliating confession."
The report also noted that "enhancing his sports performance was the last thing on Mr. Merritt's mind when he purchased ExtenZe."
The 24-year-old won gold medals in the 400 meters and as part of the USA's 4x400-meter relay at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Last year he repeated the double at the world championships.
A three-member panel from the American Arbitration Association ruled on the case, USADA said.
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