PIERS CHEN, the British sprinter “provisionally suspended from athletics” by UK Anti-Doping ( AW, Oct 20), is not accused of having used a banned substance as initially reported.
Instead he is accused of “attempted use of a prohibited substance”, contrary to IAAF Rule 32.2(b).
The 21-year-old’s previous coach, John Powell, whom the Bath University student has not worked with since July, is staggered at the allegations and eager to highlight there is no suggestion the athlete has used any substance at all.