Los Angeles (AFP)

Christian Coleman can blow: the new American star of the 100 m may well be a favorite of the 100 m at the World Cup in Doha (September 27-October 6), after being cleared by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada).

The court announced Monday it had dropped the charges on the fastest sprinter on the planet since Usain Bolt's retirement and holds the best performance of the year on the straight in 9 sec 81, suspected of three failure to carry out doping controls.

In addition to the Worlds, Coleman, who would face a suspension of up to two years, also risked missing the next Tokyo Olympics.

But the 23-year-old, who refuted the charges against him and was due to be heard on Wednesday, benefited from an error by Usada in registering the three unannounced tests supposedly missed over twelve months.

The US court had originally indicated that Coleman had breached the location rules on June 6, 2018, January 16, 2019 and April 26, 2019, "because he was not at the address he had indicated to be able to undergo checks ".

But the US sprinter argued that, based on a regulation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (International Standard for Testing and Investigation), his first offense was on April 1, 2018 and not June 6, 2018.

Usada, after consulting WADA, therefore deduced from the settlement that Coleman had committed not three but two offenses in twelve months.

As a result, Usada decided that the American athlete could no longer be charged and was laundered.

- "Presumed innocent" -

"Each athlete is presumed innocent until his case is settled in a legal proceeding, as is the case of Christian Coleman who, in Usada's view, did not commit a breach of the law. anti-doping rules and is again allowed to run, "said in a statement Travis Tygart, the boss of the instance.

"Consistent enforcement of anti-doping rules is essential for all cases, and we have applied the rules to Mr. Coleman in the way that Usada believes they should be applied to any other world-class athlete," he said. -he adds.

According to the anti-doping rules in force athletes must indicate their geographical locations to the anti-doping bodies 90 days in advance.

Usada reported that Coleman provided 2018/2019 location information at the beginning of each quarter, as required, and had been tested by the agency 20 times.

The World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Federation Athletics Integrity Unit (IAAF), which have been notified of the Usada decision, may appeal.

Meanwhile, Coleman, who had assured NBC ten days ago "not to be the type to take supplements, whatever they are" and was not "worried about anti-doping tests, at any time", can now focus on the major race that could see it crowned in Doha in three weeks.

The one who finished 2nd in the last World Championship in 2017, ahead of legend Usain Bolt, but behind compatriot Justin Gatlin, will have to defend his new status as a big favorite, with probably the feeling of revenge as an additional motivation.

But if it is necessary, the shadow of a doubt will veil its performance, while these accusations, now withdrawn, are "not good publicity", had recognized last week the boss of world athletics ( IAAF) Sebastian Coe in an interview with AFP.

© 2019 AFP