Ihab Abdel-Rahman (Photo: The official facebook page of the Egyptian javelin thrower)
Egypt's javelin thrower Ihab Abdel-Rahman has been suspended for two years by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after failing a doping test last year.
“After waiting for six months, the Egyptian anti-doping agency officially informed me with my suspension for two years,” Abdel-Rahman said in a statement via his official facebook page late on Monday.
Abdel-Rahman, who clinched Egypt's first medal at the Athletics' World Chamionship after winning silver in Beijing in 2015, was dropped from the Egyptian delegation that participated in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games after he tested positive for a banned substance following a doping test in April.
The 27-year-old athlete underwent another test in Barcelona in September that confirmed the result of the first.
“I would like to thank all the loyal Egyptians who have followed my case from the beginning and believe that I have the right to defend myself,” Abdel-Rahman added.
“I wasn’t astonished by the decision as you must expect anything when your opponent becomes the arbiter. I will lodge an appeal against the suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within a week.
“I didn't have any banned substance throughout my whole career and the Egyptian anti-doping agency should answer many questions before the Court of Arbitration. I will fight till the end to prove my innocence,” he concluded.
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