Former Olympic medallist Amir Khan has told Sky News he has “never cheated” after being given a two-year ban for use of a prohibited substance.
UK Anti-Doping announced on Tuesday that Khan, 36, has been given a two-year ban from all sports over the urine sample he gave following the fight he lost against Kell Brook in Manchester in February 2022.
It found traces of ostarine, which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list.
Speaking in London on Tuesday he said: “I’ve never cheated in my life.
“You can see by my performance against Kell Brook… I lost the fight. If I went in there and knocked Kell Brook out it’s different.”
He added that he was “the one who wanted the testing on the fight” and that “the amount that was in my system could have been by shaking people’s hands”.
Khan had claimed his consumption of ostarine was “unintentional”.
Banned from use in all sports, ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) designed to promote muscle building and has a similar effect to testosterone.
UKAD chief executive Jane Rumble said: “This case serves as a reminder that UKAD will diligently pursue Anti-Doping Rule Violations in order to protect clean sport.
“Strict liability means athletes are ultimately responsible for what they ingest and for the presence of any prohibited substances in a sample.
“It is important that all athletes and their support personnel, whatever level they are competing at, take their anti-doping responsibilities seriously. Not doing so risks damaging not only an athlete’s career, but also undermining public confidence in clean sport.”
After the positive result, Khan’s case was referred to an independent tribunal.
The panel found two violations – presence and use of a prohibited substance – in January before it confirmed the decision in writing in February. Khan was given a provisional ban on 6 April 2022, which will now last until 5 April 2024.
‘I’m retired’
Khan announced he was retiring from boxing on 13 May 2022 after winning 34 of his 40 fights and a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Speaking to Sky News he added: “I’m a retired fighter, it’s funny they’ve given me a two-year ban now.”
UKAD chief executive Jane Rumble said: “This case serves as a reminder that UKAD will diligently pursue Anti-Doping Rule Violations in order to protect clean sport.
“Strict liability means athletes are ultimately responsible for what they ingest and for the presence of any prohibited substances in a sample.
“It is important that all athletes and their support personnel, whatever level they are competing at, take their anti-doping responsibilities seriously. Not doing so risks damaging not only an athlete’s career, but also undermining public confidence in clean sport.”
