Hammer thrower Mark Dry says he is “heartbroken” at being given a four-year ban from the sport.
The 31 year-old double Commonwealth medallist believes the ban metered out after UK Anti-Doping won its appeal against a decision to clear him “offends against fairness and justice.”
Burghead athlete Dry had admitted wrongfully claiming he had gone fishing on the day he missed a drugs test in October 2018, despite a neighbour at his Shepshed address having told inspectors he had travelled to Scotland.
Dry pointed out athletes are allowed three such failures within a 12-month period and that, had he not written to Ukad making the false claim, no action would have been taken against him.
Dry said: “I am very disappointed with the decision and heartbroken by it. The tribunal at first instance understood the evidence and the explanations I provided and dismissed all charges.
“I simply cannout understand how a different panel would arrive at a four-year ban conclusion, given that the authorities of the Court of Arbitration for Sport clearly indicate the misinformation I provided does not amount to tampering.
“With their letter of October 18, 2019, Ukad made a promise to me that a filing failure bears no consequences. Had I stayed quiet, by not responding to their letters, there would have been no consequences.
“This does not make any sense and it is so unfair; it is so overtly wrong that offends against fairness and justice.”
Dry went on to claim he had been treated as harshly as someone “who injects steroids” and that he is “a life-long fighter of doping in sport.”
The athlete then restated his innocence, adding: “I will continue fighting to clear my name”.
