The sprinter Nigel Levine, who was an integral part of Great Britain’s 4x400m relay squad for nearly a decade, has been banned for four years after testing positive for clenbuterol – a performance-enhancing drug that helps burn fat, builds muscle, and improves athletic performance.
Levine, who won nine world and European championship medals, blamed the failed test on two contaminated supplements he was taking at the time of the out-of-competition test in November 2017. However, the UK Anti-Doping Agency rejected the 29-year-old’s defence after he was unable to provide samples from the correct batch of the supplements to the UK Anti-Doping Agency for testing.
The athlete had also maintained that his behaviour at the time of sample collection supported his position that he did not intentionally ingest clenbuterol. He also claimed that despite not being part of the registered testing pool, having not competed since breaking his pelvis in a motorcycle accident during a training camp in Tenerife in January 2017, he had opened the door to testers because he had nothing to hide.
However, in its ruling Ukad said that was not enough to demonstrate a lack of intention on Levine’s part. It added: “Ukad also notes that on his doping control form, when asked to identify what supplements he had consumed in the seven days prior to sample collection, Mr Levine answered ‘None’.”
Ukad chief executive, Nicole Sapstead, said the case served as a warning for athletes to thoroughly check what was in supplements before taking them. “All athletes must adhere to the principle of strict liability, and are solely responsible for any substances found in their system,” she said. “Mr Levine is an elite athlete, who has competed at the Olympic Games, European and World Championships, and has received significant anti-doping education throughout his career.
“It is up to role models such as Mr Levine to uphold the highest standards when it comes to anti-doping, ensuring they check all supplements thoroughly and are 100% certain they know that what they are consuming is not prohibited.”
Levine, who has won gold and silver 4x400m relay medals at the European championships and three 4x400m world indoor championships relay medals, is yet to comment on the decision.
