Commonwealth bronze medallist Zane Robertson has been hit with an eight-year ban from competing after his claim Erythropoietin (EPO) entered his body via a vaccination against Covid-19 was rejected.
Robertson initially tested positive for the banned drug in May of last year when competing at the Great Manchester Run. The initial positive result left the New Zealand long distance runner facing a four-year ban.
The two-time Olympian pleaded his innocence though, claiming he was treated for Covid-19 via an injection at a facility in Kenya which contained EPO. In his defence, Robertson alleged that he had told doctors he was unable to receive any drug that was on the prohibited list.
