The agent for Jarrion Lawson says the American long jumper and sprinter is expected to receive a four-year suspension for a failed doping test they maintain is tied to contaminated meat.
Paul Doyle told The Associated Press on Friday that Lawson will appeal the soon-to-be-announced decision from the Athletics Integrity Unit, which handles doping issues in track and field. Lawson has been suspended since August.
Doyle says Lawson ate tainted beef at a Japanese restaurant in Arkansas before a test on June 2, 2018. Lawson was notified Aug. 3 that he tested positive for a metabolite of the banned anabolic steroid trenbolone. The substance is frequently used in the U.S. to promote the growth of beef cattle. It also formed part of a steroid mixture used by Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
FILE - In this Aug. 6, 2017, file photo, men's long jump silver medalist Jarrion Lawson, of the United States, poses on the podium at the World Athletics Championships in London. Paul Doyle, the agent for Jarrion Lawson told The Associated Press on Friday, May 31, 2019, that the American long jumper and sprinter is expected to receive a four-year suspension for a failed doping test they maintain is tied to contaminated meat. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner, File)
The 25-year-old Lawson is considered a strong medal contender for next year's Tokyo Olympics.