Blake Leeper banned over cocaine use

Omnisports

February 2, 2016 3:17 AM

Blake Leeper, who won two medals at the 2012 Paralympics, has been given a one-year drugs ban.

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US Paralympic track athlete Blake Leeper has been banned for one year after testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine but will be eligible to compete in Rio de Janeiro this year.

The 26-year-old, who won two medals at the 2012 Paralympics in London, tested positive for benzoylecgonine last June during the US Paralympic National Championships.

A US Anti-Doping Agency statement read: "It was determined that Mr Leeper’s use of cocaine was not intended to enhance performance, and in consideration of other mitigating factors, he was deemed eligible for a reduced, one-year sanction."

The suspension starts from the date the sample was collected, June 21, 2015, so Leeper will not miss out on a trip to the 2016 Games in Rio if he qualifies.

The US Paralympic track and field trials run from June 30 to July 2, while the Paralympics begin September 7 in Brazil.

Leeper won silver in the T43 400 metres and bronze in the 200 metres in London four years ago.

Omnisports