Former Olympic champion Dawn Harper-Nelson has been banned for three months after testing positive for a banned diuretic.The American, 32, said she was given hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure but failed “to fully understand how its administration was governed by current doping protocols”.

Harper-Nelson won 100m hurdles gold at Beijing 2008 and silver at London 2012.Diuretics increase urine production, but are not performance enhancing.
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However they can be used to mask the presence of other illegal substances or promote weight loss.

“I have learned a valuable lesson and hope my mistake will serve as a reminder to all athletes to be diligent in thoroughly checking any and all prescribed medications,” Harper-Nelson added.Her ban has been in place since 1 December.