British pole vaulter Janine Whitlock was found guilty of a doping offence today and given a two-year ban.
The 28-year-old British record-holder tested positive for the anabolic steroid methandienone at the Commonwealth Games trials on June 16 and was suspended.
On Tuesday a tribunal convened to examine Whitlock's case and it has now ruled that she should be banned until July 2004. Whitlock has always maintained that her drink was spiked.
But a statement from British governing body UK Athletics read: "In particular Janine Whitlock acknowledges that as UK Athletics' doping rules impose strict liability, it is not open to the independent disciplinary committee to consider her claim that she had never intentionally or knowingly taken a prohibited substance.
"Accordingly, the matter has been put to an independent disciplinary committee, chaired by Colin Ross-Munro QC.
"The committee have confirmed that a doping offence has taken place. Janine Whitlock is therefore ineligible to take part in athletics events for two years.
"This period of ineligibility runs from July 19 2002, the date she was suspended."
Whitlock's coach Brian Hooper, himself a former British pole vault record holder, said he was not surprised by the verdict but insisted his athlete was innocent.
"It's exactly what I knew would happen. They have stated liability within the rules governing drug taking.
"It doesn't mean that Janine is guilty. I know she has never taken steroids.
"It is just the rules as they stand and she has been suspended for two years."