Athletics South Africa’s tribunal announced on Thursday that the hearing into the alleged caffeine offence by Elana Meyer, who was found to have exceeded the reportable limit (in terms of International Athletic Association Federation rules), had been postponed until August.
It was announced in a statement that Meyer’s suspension from all athletics activities had been lifted with immediate effect pending the hearing on August 14.
The tribunal, chaired by Monty Hacker, postponed the hearing after Athletics South Africa (ASA) had requested further time to consider the results, which will only be available towards the end of June, of further investigations into the alleged offence.
The move allows Meyer the opportunity to undergo a caffeine metabolism investigation. According to the tribunal, the Boland athlete continued to co-operate fully with ASA.
Meyer finished third in the 10km event held in Bali on February 2003.
She has been South Africa’s most successful women’s athlete ever and currently holds the World record for Half Marathon and the 15km, having previously held the World’s Best time for the 5km.
In 2002 she was voted one of South Africa’s Women of the Year. She has also been a campaigner for the fight against drugs in sport.
Together with athletes such as Paula Ratcliffe and Sonia O’Sullivan, Meyer has formed a strong voice for more ardent testing in athletics and road running. – Sapa