Spearmon accepts three-month ban

American sprinter Wallace Spearmon has accepted a three-month suspension after testing positive for methylprednisolone, the United States Anti-Doping Agency has announced.

The 29-year-old 200 metres specialist returned a positive test in an in-competition urine sample collected at the Edmonton International Track Classic in July.

Methylprednisolone is a glucocorticosteroid prohibited in competition and classified as a specified substance, meaning its presence can come with a reduced sanction.

The anti-doping body added in the statement that it accepted Spearmon’s explanation that the substance was not being used to enhance performance, but “he was taking the prescribed medication in a therapeutic dose under the care of a physician”.

Spearmon, though, failed to apply for a therapeutic use exemption before using the medication.

His three-month ban was backdated to start on August 27.

Spearmon is a former world 4x100m relay champion and world 200m silver medallist. He is the seventh fastest man over 200m in history with a best of 19.65 seconds.