Australian middle-distance runner Peter Bol has said he’s been touched by the support from around the country, and he continues to deny the findings of a recent drug test.
The 800m star returned a positive result in an out-of-competition test in October last year, and when that news was announced last week, was provisionally suspended by Athletics Australia, per the governing body’s anti-doping policy.
“It was a massive shock,” he told The Age.
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He said it was sinking in more with each day but remained surreal.
“It’s still a shock. But you have to deal with it and I’m doing what I can,” he said.
Bol has maintained his innocence since the news broke.
“People around Australia will be disappointed and some might feel let down. That hurts me deeply.
“And it hurts that I can’t do much about it right now other than to say in the strongest terms that I never, ever did what they’re accusing me of.”
Despite the prospect of not being able to compete in upcoming events, he is remaining upbeat.
“The support I’m getting from so many areas, from the athletics world in Australia but also from so many I know from overseas that means a lot to me,” he said
“And so, so many people, sometimes quite random, have reached out to me or my coach or my manager. It means a lot at this tough time.”
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