Panel upholds Edwards suspension

ATHENS -- United States sprinter Torri Edwards was knocked out of the Olympics for good yesterday when an arbitration panel upheld her two-year drug suspension, saying she should have known tablets provided by her doctor contained a banned substance.

Edwards had been considered a medal contender in the 100 and 200 meters. She inherited the world championship in the 100 when Kelli White forfeited that crown because of drug use.

At the US Olympic Trials, Edwards finished second in the 100 in 11.02 seconds, and third in the 200 in 22.39. Edwards's spot in the 100 will go to Gail Devers, who finished fourth at the Trials. Her spot in the 200 will go to LaShaunte'a Moore.

Edwards tested positive for the stimulant nikethamide at a meet in Martinique April 24, but blamed the result on two glucose tablets she took because she wasn't feeling well. She said her team's physical therapist bought the glucose at a store on the Caribbean island, and that she was unaware it contained any banned substances.

The international Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected her appeal yesterday, one day after Edwards spoke on her own behalf during a 5 1/2-hour hearing. The CAS panel said Edwards took two Coramine Glucose tablets provided by Christopher Vincent, a licensed chiropractor who worked for her track club, HSI.