Lewis-Francis reveals ban fear over missed drug tests

Mark Lewis-Francis has revealed that he is one missed drug test from facing the one-year ban which Christine Ohuruogu served.

Lewis-Francis, a sprint relay gold medallist in Athens, has missed two tests (in 2005 and 2006) and must avoid missing another within the next three years. Athletes in Britain have missed tests against their records for five years.

“I don’t know how I am going to do it,” he told The Guardian. “I have two strikes. I am on the final line, I am on the wire.

“My two are for being lazy. It was while the system was brand new and they should have given us a bit of leniency. I think it is a rubbish system.

“I do not understand why they are singling us out as British athletes. We are not the biggest cheats in the world.

“I have to report every move that I do to make sure I don’t miss the testers. It’s a hassle, a big, big hassle. You have to live with it. I feel like I am back at school and have to report to the headmaster everywhere I go.”

Lewis-Francis, 25, missed his first test in 2005 after his doorbell did not work when testers called at his rented house in London, while the second came in July last year after he travelled to Crystal Palace ahead of a grand prix meeting.

Lewis-Francis was stripped of his silver medal at the European indoor championships in Madrid in 2005 when he tested positive for cannabis.