Whitlock banned from Games

The pole vaulter Janine Whitlock was today suspended from competition by UK Athletics after testing positive for the banned steroid methandienone.

If found guilty of a doping offence British record holder Whitlock, who was one of England's brightest hopes of a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, which start in Manchester on Thursday, faces a two year ban. A date for Whitlock's disciplinary hearing has not yet been set but she has already indicated she will claim her sports drink was spiked. Methandieone, which is sold as Dianabol, is one of the oldest steroids available.

In a statement issued by UK Athletics this morning, the sport's governing body said: "Following the adverse finding of a metabolite of methandienone in the urine sample given by Janine Whitlock on 16 June, a review of the evidence has been conducted by the independent drug advisory officer (DAO).

"As a result of this review, the DAO considers there is prima facie evidence that a doping offence has been committed and therefore the matter must be considered at a disciplinary hearing.

"UK Athletics has therefore suspended Janine Whitlock from athletic competition pending a hearing before an independent disciplinary committee.

"Suspension should not be taken as an indication of guilt, but rather that there is a case to answer."