Sotomayor faces two-year suspension

AUGUST 5: Cuban high jump great Javier Sotomayor was stripped of his gold medal at the Pan American Games after testing positive for coca...

AUGUST 5: Cuban high jump great Javier Sotomayor was stripped of his gold medal at the Pan American Games after testing positive for cocaine, the biggest drug scandal to hit athletics since sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Sotomayor, considered Cuba8217;s most popular athlete, will be suspended for two years 8212; knocking him out of this month8217;s World Championships and the Sydney Olympics, Primo Nebiolo, president of the International Federation for Athletics IAAF, said last night.

8220;I am shocked. I cannot believe it. I am very surprised and upset because I have great esteem for Sotomayor,8221; Nebiolo said from a meet in Monaco.

The Pan American Sports Organisation PASO said earlier that 200 nanograms of cocaine had been found in Sotomayor8217;s urine after he won Friday8217;s high jump gold medal. Mario Granda, head doctor of the Cuban delegation, said he did not have any concrete evidence for his claim but said the alleged manipulation may have been caused by somebodyspiking Sotomayor8217;s food.

Sotomayor had complained of a bad back after Friday8217;s event. 8220;We are convinced of his total innocence,8221; said Granda.

Other Cuban officials concurred with Granda. 8220;He is such a gentleman. To us, it is almost impossible he would take this substance,8221; said Rodrigo Alvarez Cambra, a leader of the Cuban delegation. 8220;He has told us he has not taken this substance and we believe his word.8221;

It is up to the Cuban Federation to suspend Sotomayor, the World record holder and the only man to clear 2.44 metres. But Nebiolo said if the Cubans do not suspend Sotomayor, IAAF will.

Sotomayor fact file

Age: 31, Height: 6 ft 5 inches.

Achievements: Holds World records in high jump: Outdoor: 2.43 1988, 2.44 1989, 2.45 1993; Indoor: 2.43 1989.

Story continues below this ad

Titles: Four-time Pan Am Games winner, Olympic Gold medallist 1992, World Champion outdoor two-time, indoor four-time.