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AAP
AAP
Sport
Steve Larkin

Olympian Peter Bol's provisional doping ban lifted

Athletics Australia has confirmed the provisional ban on Olympian Peter Bol has now been lifted. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Peter Bol says he is exonerated of doping as his lawyer slammed Australia's anti-drugs agency for an embarrassing investigation of the star middle-distance runner.

Athletics Australia released a statement on Tuesday evening confirming the provisional ban on Bol has now been lifted, but the investigation will still continue.

Bol revealed the provisional ban was lifted because his A and B samples from a drugs test last October didn't match.

"The relief I am feeling is hard to describe," Bol posted on Twitter.

"Last month I told everyone that I was innocent and asked that everyone in Australia believe me and let the process play out.

"I was hopeful that the process would exonerate me. This morning, I am relieved to report that it did."

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) said the case isn't closed for arguably the nation's highest-profile track athlete.

SIA noted the B sample analysis was an "atypical finding (ATF) for recombinant EPO".

"The relevant rules require a WADA-accredited laboratory to obtain a second opinion from an expert ... an ATF is not the same as a negative test result," SIA said in a statement.

"The investigation into the matter remains ongoing."

Athletics Australia added: "The result of the B Sample was reported by the laboratory as Atypical, which is neither negative nor positive, and requires further investigation.

"Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Athletics Australia is now required to lift the provisional suspension whilst the investigation continues.

"Peter is now permitted to train at a national, state or club level, compete and coach, as well as receive funding, use official or member facilities and hold a position with a sporting organisation."

Bol, who finished fourth in the 800m final at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, was told on January 10 of a positive result in his A sample from a test three months prior.

But a second sample, the B sample, "did not confirm my A sample", he wrote.

Former Australian anti-doping chief Richard Ings said such a situation was unusual.

"Questions need asking of the lab and how it processed and assessed the A sample," the former chief of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority wrote on Twitter.

Bol's lawyer Paul Greene said it was a "disgrace" the athlete's initial test result was leaked to the public.

"They (SIA) should be embarrassed about the way this case was handled," he told ABC radio.

"You should not announce it until after someone has been charged because you have to have an A and a B sample to be sure charging wise.

"We were never shown any lab docs, they announced it without sharing any docs.

"It's a really poor process and in my opinion, they (sport integrity) need to review it.

"If he was an American athlete no one would have ever known about this.

"Who's going to suffer as a result?

"No one at Sport Integrity Australia or Athletics Australia are going to suffer from this ... Pete's the only one that is going to suffer from this"

Bol, a dual Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medallist, again declared his innocence.

"The last month has been nothing less than a nightmare," Bol wrote.

"I wish that the results of my A sample had not been leaked, but there is nothing I can do about that.

"To say it one more time: I am innocent and have not taken this substance as I was accused.

"I have NEVER in my life purchased, researched, possessed, administered or used synthetic EPO or any other prohibited substance, and never will."

Bol was provisionally banned by SIA and missed this year's first major track and field meet in Adelaide on Saturday night, with crowds dipping by more than half compared with his appearance 12 months ago.

Next on the domestic calendar is the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne on February 23, a World Athletics Continental Tour event.

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