Doubles specialist Robert Farah’s doping ban lifted

Robert Farah press conference

Two-time Grand Slam men’s doubles winner Robert Farah is free to return to ATP Tour action after his ban for testing positive for a banned substance was lifted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

The ITF announced in January that the reigning Wimbledon and US Open champion had been suspended after he tested positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone during an out-of-competition test in October 2019.

However, the Colombian protested his innocence and said on a Twitter post: “As stated by the Colombian Olympic Committee in 2018, this substance is found frequently in Colombian meat and may affect athletes’ test results.”

The ITF accepted Farah’s defence that meat he ate in Colombia was contaminated, saying the 33-year-old “bears no fault or negligence for the violation”.

Farah thanked his family, fans and sponsors in a statement on Twitter.

The decision, though, is still subject to appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

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