Peter Bol has been cleared of doping amid questions about how he initially tested positive for a banned substance.
The middle-distance star says his A and B samples from a drugs test in October don’t match and his suspension is lifted.
“My provisional suspension has been lifted by Sport Integrity Australia,” Bol posted on Twitter.
“The relief I am feeling is hard to describe.”
Bol, who finished fourth in the 800m final at the Tokyo Olympics, was told in January of a positive result in his A sample from a test last October.
But a second sample, the B sample, from the same test didn’t match.
“I was just informed that my B sample did not confirm my A sample,” Bol wrote.
Former Australian anti-doping chief Richard Ings said such a situation was very unusual.
“I can’t recall the last time that happened,” Ings, former chief executive of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, wrote on Twitter.
“I’m sure it has but it’s exceedingly rare.
“Good luck, Mr Bol, you (sic) reputation is intact.
“But questions need asking of the lab and how it processed and assessed the A sample.”
Bol’s A sample from an October 11 test returned readings of erythropoietin (EPO).
The dual Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medallist again emphasised he had never taken a banned substance.
“The last month has been nothing less than a nightmare,” Bol wrote.
“I wish that the results of my A sample had not been leaked, but there is nothing I can do about that.
“To say it one more time: I am innocent and have not taken this substance as I was accused.
“I have NEVER in my life purchased, researched, possessed, administered or used synthetic EPO or any other prohibited substance, and never will.”
Bol, arguably Australia’s highest-profile track athlete, was provisionally banned by Sport Integrity Australia and missed this year’s first meet in Adelaide last Saturday night. In his absence, crowds dipped by more than half compared with his appearance 12 months ago.
The next meet on the domestic calendar is the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne on February 23, a World Athletics Continental Tour event.
