Merritt hit with ban

Olympic 400metre champion LaShawn Merritt has been handed a 21-month ban for returning three positive drugs tests.

The 24-year-old, who failed the tests in October and December of last year and January of this year, will be eligible to compete again on 27 July 2011, meaning he will be free to defend his title at the London Olympics in 2012.

The suspension was backdated to 28 October 2009.

Merritt, who also won the world 400m title in Berlin last year, had admitted using an over-the-counter male enhancement product containing DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and pregnenolone.