Football
Associated Press 19y

Jamaican organization bans Mullings for two years

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State sprinter Steve Mullings withdrew from the NCAA championships Tuesday after a Jamaican athletic organization banned him for two years for testing positive for steroids.

"This past year has been a very difficult year in large part due to the stress placed upon myself, family, friends, teammates, coaches and all those associated with Mississippi State University," Mullings said in a statement issued by the school.

"I have come to realize that this decision may put an end to those lashing out at my team and university," he said.

Mississippi State athletic director Larry Templeton said in the statement that Mullings, the Southeastern Conference champion in the 100 meters, was eligible under NCAA, conference and school regulations.

Mullings received the ban from the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association last week for testing positive for the banned substance testosterone at the Jamaica national championships last year.

The JAAA said the ban is effective from June 26, 2004, the date of his suspension.

Mullings, 22, was tested days after winning the 200 meters at the competition to select Jamaica's squad for the Athens Olympics. He was subsequently left off the team.

The NCAA championships begin Wednesday in Sacramento, Calif.

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