Sprinter Rodgers exits worlds under doping cloud

New York: U.S. sprinter Michael Rodgers, who tested positive for a prohibited stimulant last month, has accepted a provisional suspension on Friday and withdrew from this month`s world championships in South Korea.

Rodgers, who was scheduled to compete for the United States in the 100 meters and 4x100m relay, tested positive for methylhexaneamine at an Italian meet but claimed he did not intentionally ingest the substance, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said in a statement.Rodgers, 26, qualified for the worlds by finishing third in the 100 meters at the U.S. world championship trials in June.The world championships begin in Daegu on August 27. Bureau Report