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@Jarrod Bannister will not be able to defend his title in Glasgow after being banned for 20 months. Australia's Commonwealth Games javelin champion recently received the ban after he missed out on a series of anti-doping tests.
The former Commonwealth Games gold medalist was banned for missing three drug tests within a period of 18 months. He was charged by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) for an offence under article 6.4 of the Athletics Australia Anti-Doping Policy concerning his availability for out-of-competition testing. This was despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport recognizing that the javelin star had not deliberately tried to dodge the tests and that there were extenuating circumstances for him missing the third test during a period of 18 months. It is believed that a mix-up between the Australian javelin champion and Athletics Australia over international accommodation contributed to the third of the missed drug tests.
Athletics Australia was criticized by Bannister for deficiencies in its handling of athletes and warned other competitors to diarize movements. Bannister said it was found that there was no deliberate action by him to avoid being tested, that finding is consistent with his defense submissions at the hearing on June 21, 2013. He added that he is still deeply disappointed at receiving the period of ineligibility and concluded to safeguard other athletes, especially Australian athletes, he would encourage them to be vigilant when dealing with Athletics Australia and ASADA. The 28-year-old remarked from now until February 18 2015 he will train harder than ever to ensure his return to competition is successful.
Dallas O'Brien, chief executive of Athletics Australia defended the procedures and said it was down to the athlete to ensure that they were available for out-of-competition testing. O'Brien remarked Athletics Australia is a signatory to the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Code because we are committed to ensuring that those athletes who breach our anti-doping policy are dealt with in the manner appropriate to the circumstances of their case and any violation with which they should be charged and that includes ensuring that the details of their whereabouts are always updated so that out of competition testing can be conducted by the IAAF, ASADA, or WADA. He also said it is the individual athlete's responsibility to notify the World Anti-Doping Agency of all international travel arrangements and precise accommodation arrangements and we acknowledge this can be challenging once the athlete is already overseas and perhaps we need to look at how we can do a little more to assist the athletes in those circumstances to fulfill their requirements. The chief executive of Athletics Australia also remarked we are disappointed that Jarrod did not meet his obligations as one of our top performing athletes and this case demonstrates the need for all athletes to be diligent and responsible. He further added that Athletics Australia will reinforce to its athletes the message that this decision brings and at the same time provide additional education and assistance in order to maximize compliance with the sport's strict and wide ranging anti-doping policy.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has determined that the suspension of Jarrod Bannister should run from June 19, 2013, through until February 18, 2015.
