British hurdler Priestley provisionally suspended

LONDON, (Reuters) – British hurdler Callum Priestley  has been provisionally suspended from athletics after failing an  out-of-competition doping test.

UK Athletics (UKA) said yesterday that clenbuterol, a  stimulant used in asthma treatment, was found in his B sample  after a test in South Africa in January and he was provisionally  suspended under IAAF (International Association of Athletics  Federations) rules.

However, UK Anti-Doping said Priestley was not yet guilty of  any offence and would have the opportunity to respond to the  charge.

“I am hugely disappointed there has been a failed test,” UK  Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos said in a statement.
“UKA continues to give 100 percent support to the work of UK  Anti-Doping and we maintain our full commitment to drug-free  sport.”

Priestley, who won the 60 metres hurdles at the UK Indoor  Championships last month, could face a two-year ban unless he  proves he had a valid reason for having the drug in his system.