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US sprinter Christian Coleman misses third drug test

Coleman is fighting one of his missed tests, but if unsuccessful he could be banned from the World Championships and the 2020 Olympics

American sprinter Christian Coleman is the focus of media reports that he has missed a third out-of-competition drug test in the last 12 months, which could lead to his being banned from competing at the upcoming World Championships and Olympics, where he is the favourite to win the 100m.

Track and field athletes are required to report their whereabouts for out-of-competition drug testing, and must be present at their reported location for drug testing without prior notice. Out-of-competition testing works on a “three strikes” model–a third missed test in a 12-month period is treated like a positive test and may result in a competition ban of up to two years.

RELATED: WATCH: De Grasse wins, runs sub-20 for 200m in Ostrava

The Mail Online reports that Coleman is fighting one of the “whereabouts violations,” (i.e. he was not where he said he would be at the time USADA officials arrived to test him).

Coleman is often referred to as the likely successor to Usain Bolt, winner of eight Olympic and 11 world championship gold medals and holds the world records in the 100m and 200m. Coleman holds the world indoor record in the 60m. His personal best in the 100m is 9.79s.

Coleman was slated to race against Canada’s Andre De Grasse, who beat him over 200m at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic in June, at the Birmingham Diamond League last Sunday, but withdrew, citing injury and the need to rest ahead of the World Championships.

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