Dry will fight anti-doping violation ban

Double Commonwealth Games hammer bronze medal list Mark Dry has vowed to fight to save his career after being handed an interim ban for an antidoping violation.

The 31- year-old from Moray is now suspended from athletics by UK AntiDoping pending a hearing on a charge of“tam pering or attempted tampering with any part of doping control”.

Dr y, who overcame hip surgery to reach the podium in Gold Coast last April, is consulting lawyers in a bid to over turn the decision, which is thought to involve the “whereabouts” system, which compels competitors to inform authorities where they will be during one specific hour each day for testing purposes.

A UK Athletics spokesperson said :“The provisional suspension was issued by UK Anti-doping and is in accordance with IAAF Anti-doping Rules.

“The individual now has the opportunity to respond to the charge against him including the right to a full hearing of the case.”

It could take several months before a hearing to consider Dry’s appeal and any possible punishment, putting his hopes of competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in doubt.

He said: “I am surprised

at UKA’S stance given that the investigation is still ongoing.

“Iamc ur rentlytaking legal advice and will respond in due course.”

Scottish record holder Dr y, who competed at the Rio 2016 Games, was expected to compete during the forthcoming season for the first time since July 2018 following another surgery on hi ship last summer.

Dry, right, has had a fractious relationship with UK A th leticswh ore moved him from funding after the last Olympics amid a cc us ations from the thrower that he had received poor medical advice.

He has previously been highly vocal about suspicions of doping abuse in his event among rivals from countries where the testing regime is traditionally lax.

A Scottish Athletics official said: “We are aware of the case involving a Scottish athlete.

“There is a process to be followed and we have to await the outcome of that process.”