Mullings vows to clear his name

Kingston - Disgraced Jamaican sprinter Steve Mullings said on Wednesday that a lifetime ban handed down by a Jamaican anti-doping panel will not stop his quest to clear his name.

After his expulsion from athletics on Monday following a second doping violation in seven years, the two-time IAAF World Championships relay medallist says he and his camp will focus their attention on proving his innocence.

"At this point, myself, along with my attorneys, are focusing our time and energy on proving my innocence to world," Mullings said in a statement.

Mullings set a 100-meter personal best of 9.80 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic in June, the fourth-fastest time last season, and became the sixth-fastest ever in the event.

But the Florida training partner of US sprint star Tyson Gay tested positive for the banned diuretic furosimide, used to mask performance-enhancing drugs, on June 24 at the Jamaican championships after finishing third at 100m.

In 2004, Mullings had tested positive for elevated level of testosterone and was suspended for two years.

On Monday, a three-man Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) disciplinary committee panel had handed down the maximum sentence allowed, four days after finding Mullings guilty of the doping violation.

"(I am) extremely disappointed in the decision made by the panel on Monday afternoon", Mullings said, adding it would be his only comment on the matter.

Mullings had said before the panel rendered its decision that he planned to appeal his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

Mullings, who recorded seven sub-10-second 100m runs last season, is among 20 Jamaican athletes to test positive for a banned substance.