US sprinter Rodgers banned nine months for doping

[caption id="attachment_231601" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="US sprinter Mike Rodgers has accepted a nine-month ban for a failed drug test. Reuters"][/caption]US sprinter Mike Rodgers has accepted a nine-month ban for a failed drug test but will still be able to compete in the London Olympics if he qualifies, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said on Thursday.The former American 100 metres champion, who tested positive at an event in Italy last July, will be banned through April 19, making him eligible for the US Olympic trials in June if he meets testing requirements.The 26-year-old US world indoor 60 metres silver medallist originally said the banned stimulant was in a drink he had at a club in Italy. Rodgers's agent said the sprinter would make a statement later on Thursday.USADA said Rodgers, the second fastest American and seventh fastest globally last year at 100 metres, gave "inaccurate and misleading testimony" at his hearing but eventually agreed to his ban before the arbitration panel could act upon it.Reuters