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Merritt banned for 21 months
ATHLETICS: American Olympic and world 400m champion LaShawn Merritt has been handed a 21-month ban for doping. Merritt tested positive three times for testosterone and accepted a provisional suspension earlier this year. His ban has been backdated to his first positive test in October 2009, meaning all results since than have been annulled but opening the door for him to make a controversial return at the next Worlds in August 2011.