Discus throw giant Victor Hogan has been handed a two-year suspension for an anti-doping violation.
Hogan, who finished fifth at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, was left out of South Africa’s Olympic team on Thursday.
“We have been informed by the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) that his A and B samples tested positive for methylhexaneamine,” Athletics SA president Aleck Skhosana confirmed.
“That is the reason he could not be selected for the final team.”
Hogan returned the adverse analytical finding after the SA Senior Championships in Stellenbosch in April, where he produced a 67.62m career record, and was lying fifth in the world rankings ahead of the Rio Games.
According to Saids chief exrcutive Khalid Galant, he had not been handed a provisional suspension, and his ban started on Wednesday when he was informed of the decision. Hogan would therefore retain the African title he earned in Durban last month.