Lombard tests positive for EPO

Irish distance runner Cathal Lombard has tested positive for the banned drug EPO and is facing the axe from the Olympic team and a potential two-year suspension if found guilty.

Irish Olympic press attaché Jack MacGowran confirmed the Irish Sports Council had discovered the positive test and informed Athletics Ireland that Lombard, who was due to compete in the 5,000 metres and 10,000m in Athens, will appear before Irish federation officials on Monday.

MacGowran said: “The Irish sports council have come across an EPO positive for Cathal Lombard.

“They informed his federation a couple of days ago. He will be asked to explain himself on Monday. He will be given 24 hours to come up with a response and if I doesn’t do that he will not be in the Irish Olympic team.”

Lombard set an Irish record for 10,000m this year when he finished third in the BUPA Great Manchester run in a time of 27:33.53.

The Irish 5000m champion set a personal best of 13:19.22 in the 5,000m distance when he finished fifth in Heusden, Belgium last year.