Sprint champ Gatlin gets eight-year ban

WORLD and Olympic 100 metres champion Justin Gatlin has been banned for a maximum of eight years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency after admitting he committed “a doping violation”.

The 24-year-old American was facing the prospect of a life ban after testing positive for testosterone at the Kansas Relays in Lawrence on April 22.

Gatlin first failed a drugs test five years ago when amphetamines were found in his samples at the USA Junior Championships.