Sponsor cuts ties with George

Johannesburg - A leading sports nutrition supplement brand on Wednesday ended its relationship with professional cyclist David George, the company CEO said.

"We have a zero tolerance policy on doping in sport," USN's Albe Geldenhuys said in a statement.

Distancing the brand from George, Geldenhuys said the company only supplied its ambassadors with product certified free of prohibited substances on the World Anti-doping Association (WADA) list.

Their decision followed Tuesday's announcement by the South African Institute for Drug-free Sport (SAIDS) that George had tested positive for the banned substance, EPO.

USN joined Nedbank 360Life in withdrawing its sponsorship after George failed an out-of-competition doping test on August 29.

Later on Tuesday, George admitted to having used the banned drug and said he was ready to face the consequences.