Australian Olympic water polo star gets doping ban

Sydney: Australian water polo star James Stanton has competed in the last two Olympic Games but will miss a third in London after being slapped with a two-year doping ban Wednesday.

Stanton, Australia`s goalkeeper at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, tested positive for the anabolic agent clenbuterol in an out-of-competition test in Perth on September 15 last year.The ban was backdated to the date of his provisional suspension, meaning he will be ineligible to participate in sport until 23 October 2012. Clenbuterol is prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Code and carries with it potentially serious penalties, including a lifetime ban for second offences.The 27-year-old strenuously denied knowingly taking the substance. Bureau Report