Modahl quits athletics

Modahl at the 2000 Sydney Olympics

Former Commonwealth 800m champion Diane Modahl has retired from athletics with immediate effect.

Modahl won the Commonwealth 800 metres title in 1990 and was set to compete in the Games in Manchester this summer.

She was banned for four years in December 1994 by the British Athletics Federation after a urine test taken in Lisbon six months earlier allegedly showed a high level of testosterone.

Modahl loses appeal

An independent appeal panel cleared her in July 1995 after doubt was cast on the accuracy of the tests.

Modahl began court proceedings in November 2000 to sue the British Athletics Federation over the way she was treated during the investigation into the drug-taking allegations.

But in December 2000, the High Court in London rejected her claim for compensation, and Modahl lost her subsequent appeal against the decision.