Champion Runner Christian Coleman Reportedly Suspended as He Missed Drug Test for the 3rd Time

Current 100 meters world champion, Christian Coleman, was suspended on Monday after being absent for a drug test for the third time. He, however, believes that he wasn't treated fairly.

World fastest runner, Christian Coleman, has received a provisional suspension from the "Athletics Integrity Unit" after he missed the mandatory drug test for the third time.

In a report by AP NEWS, it was revealed that Coleman was absent when a member of the anti-drug system showed up at his home on December 9, 2019.

Coleman believes that his suspension was caused by a miscommunication that could have been avoided if he had been notified with a phone call from the drug tester who came to his house.

On the other hand, The "Athletic Integrity Unit," maintains that phone calls or any other form of prior notification were not part of the protocols followed. In a statement, they said:

"Any advanced notice of testing...provides an opportunity for athletes to engage in tampering or evasion...which can limit the efficacy of testing."

In reaction to his suspension, Coleman shared a lengthy Twitter post where he revealed that he was shopping for Christmas presents when the officials arrived.

Coleman was expected to come home with a gold medal at the next Olympic Games.

According to him, he was at a local mall, only five minutes away from where he lives. He further wrote,

"I was more than ready and available for testing, and if I had received a phone call, I could've taken the drug test and carried on with my night."

Coleman further explained that he had receipts and bank statements to show that he wasn't lying about his whereabouts.

The prolific athlete also insisted that he has never used drugs to enhance his performance while adding that he was ready to take a drug test every day for the rest of his career if that would help prove his innocence.

In his words, he believes that the unannounced December visit was an intentional act to get him to miss the test. He then went on to advocate for a change in the rules of the anti-doping system because it is a form of injustice to athletes like him.

Coleman was expected to come home with a gold medal at the next Olympic Games. The 2021 Tokyo Olympic, which was supposed to hold this year, has been postponed till next July amid the coronavirus pandemic.