LaShawn Merritt suspended for use of banned substance

Track fans and officials reacted with shock, disbelief and disappointment Thursday after learning that Wilson High graduate LaShawn Merritt, the reigning Olympic 400-meter gold medalist, has accepted a provisional suspension for using a banned substance.

Merritt, 23, will not compete again until his case is resolved by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

Typically, an athlete hit with a first-time doping violation receives a two-year suspension and forfeits any results from the time during which he used the banned substance. B y coming forth now, Merritt would regain eligibility in time to compete in the 2012 London Olympics even if he received the full two-year ban.

Merritt's attorney, Howard Jacobs, said his client tested positive for DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a steroid that is legally sold as a dietary supplement in the United States but which has long been banned in Olympic sports.

Attempts to reach Merritt and his coach, Dwayne Miller, were unsuccessful.

Merritt announced his suspension in a statement and confirmed the positive drug tests for DHEA.

According to Merritt, the positive test was triggered by an over-the-counter male-enhancement product he used after the 2009 outdoor season.

The product Merritt used was ExtenZe, according to the Chicago Tribune.

"As an athlete, and strong advocate of fair competition, I have worked very hard to push myself to the outer limits of my physical abilities without any performance enhancement drugs," Merritt said. "I've always prided myself on doing what's right, and will continue to do so.

" I hope my sponsors, family, friends and the sport itself will forgive me for making such a foolish, immature and egotistical mistake. Any penalty that I may receive for my action will not overshadow the embarrassment and humiliation I feel inside.

"I am deeply sorry and hope that other athletes who take these types of over-the- counter products will be even more cautious and read the fine print, because if it can happen to me, it could happen to you."

Despite his apology, Merritt found no sympathy from Doug Logan, chief executive of USA Track and Field.

" Any professional athlete in this sport knows that they are solely responsible for anything that goes into their bodies," Logan said in a statement released by USA Track. "For Mr. Merritt to claim inadvertent use of a banned substance due to the ingestion of over-the-counter supplements brings shame to himself and his teammates.... He has done damage to our efforts to fight the plague of performance-enhancing drugs in our sport.

"Mr. Merritt... has now put his entire career under a cloud and in the process made himself the object of jokes. In this day and age, a professional athlete should know better. Personally, I am disgusted."

What happens to Merritt's medals and his career will depend on the outcome of the investigation, which can last from weeks to months.

Merritt raced onto the world scene by winning the 400 at the 2008 Olympic Trials, then beat rival Jeremy Wariner to win gold in China later that summer. He beat Wariner again at the 2009 World Championships.

Through it all, Merritt's popularity in the community was growing. He was frequently seen talking to school children and getting involved through his foundation. After his Olympic victory, Portsmouth threw a parade in his honor.

Rumblings regarding Merritt's eligibility have been coming up for weeks. The first public indication came two weeks ago, when Norfolk State abruptly changed the name of as March track meet it hosted from the LaShawn Merritt High School meet to the Norfolk State University Invitational. NSU said the change was due to circumstances beyond its control.

Then, early this week, Merritt's name was nowhere to be found on the entry lists at the prestigious Penn Relays. Merritt had been a prominent figure in the event since turning pro in 2005.

Former Bayside sprinter Charles Clark had heard the talk Wednesday.

Clark, who competes for Florida State University, ran with Merritt last summer when both represented the USA team at the World Championships.

"I was in the training room doing rehab and one of my teammates said to me, 'One of your boys got popped for performing enhancing drugs,' " Clark said. "I was like 'Get out of here.'

" I didn't expect him. It's a real tragedy for track and field."

Western Branch track coach Claude Toukene also was shocked by the news.

"To me, it's a tragedy," Toukene said from Philadelphia, where he was with his team preparing for the Penn Relays. "I know he made an honest mistake and he didn't understand the ramifications of it."

Walt Green, co-founder of Norfolk Real Deal Track, coached Merritt when he started running. Merritt was part of Norfolk Real Deal when he won the World Junior title in the 400.

"For what it's going to do for his rep, it's not good," Green said. "He's such a great person, and he's done so much. I'm shocked, I'm disappointed, but I'm still behind him."

What bothers Green most is Merritt jeopardized so much for so little.

"That's what's frustrating," Green said. "I've spoken to many people and they said LaShawn is the only 400-meter runner to run 43 seconds clean. All you have to do is look at his progression. He didn't have one of those crazy progressions where his times just dropped. His progression was normal. He doesn't need to take drugs.... I'm just disappointed and shocked. "

Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com