US hurdler handed two-year ban

Hurdler Duane Ross has been banned for two years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after evidence of drug use was uncovered.

Ross' results since November 2, 2001 will be scratched from the records after new information emerged from the ongoing investigation into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO).

The North Carolina native, now 37, was one of a number of athletes to testify against disgraced coach Trevor Graham, from whose stable of athletes the likes of Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery and Justin Gatlin received drug bans.

But a USADA statement confirmed Ross, who competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, has been banned 'for using banned performance-enhancing drugs, including anabolic agents and hormones, in violation of International Association of Athletics Federations Anti-Doping Rules'.

The statement continued: "Mr. Ross's sanction resulted from information recently received by USADA during separate investigations arising from information obtained during the BALCO conspiracy."

"In addition to his suspension, which began on February 5, 2010, all of Ross's competitive results will be disqualified, including forfeiture of all medals, points, and prizes since November 2, 2001."

That means the athlete will keep his 1999 World Championship bronze medal, won in a personal best of 13.12 seconds in Seville.