(Eugene) American sprinter Erriyon Knighton, double world medalist in the 200m, was declared positive for an anabolic steroid, but cleared during the procedure and will be able to compete in the Olympic trials which begin Friday in Eugene, Oregon, announced Wednesday the American Anti-Doping Agency (USA).
Bronze medalist at the 2022 Worlds and then silver at the 2023 Worlds in Budapest, Knighton (20 years old) is one of the favorites for the Olympic podium in the half-lap at the Paris Games this summer (July 26 – August 11).
This emerging star of American athletics, 4th at the Tokyo Games in the 200m in 2021 at age 17 and faster than Usain Bolt in the youth categories, tested positive for trenbolone, an anabolic steroid, on March 26, 2024 , explains USADA in a press release.
Provisionally suspended since April, without his case having been made public until now, Knighton pleaded food contamination which was upheld at a hearing in mid-June. He will therefore be able to defend his chances in the American Olympic selections in the 200m next week, the first weekend being devoted to the 100m, a distance for which he is not registered.
Knighton has yet to compete in an outdoor race in 2024.
