Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt accepts provisional suspension for positive test

Olympian Merritt accepts provisional suspension

LOS ANGELES — A lawyer for Olympic and world champion runner LaShawn Merritt says the American has accepted a provisional suspension after testing positive for a banned drug.

According to Thursday’s release from lawyer Howard Jacobs, Merritt used an over-the-counter male enhancement product that contained substances that caused him to fail three successive tests between October and January.

Merritt says he hopes his family, friends and sponsors will forgive him for making “a foolish, immature and egotistical mistake.” The 400-meter runner will not compete until the case has been decided.

USA Track & Field CEO Doug Logan says he’s “disgusted by this entire episode,” thinks Merritt “put his entire career under a cloud” and his explanation “brings shame to himself and his teammates.”