German 100m star Ansah at nationals despite anti-doping probe

German 100-metre record holder Owen Ansah will start at the German athletics championships in Bochum on Saturday despite ongoing proceedings by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), his lawyer said.

"In view of the proceedings currently under way and the necessary careful clarification of the facts, no further statements will be made to the media at present," lawyer Rainer Tarek Cherkeh said in a statement on Friday as he confirmed Ansah's participation.

He added that Ansah will give a comprehensive statement to NADA, which is investigating him over a possible breach of the German Athletics Association's anti-doping rules.

NADA is investigating an alleged refusal to undergo a doping test. The 25-year-old is free to race.

"The athlete is not currently provisionally suspended. For the possible Anti-Doping Rule Violation the anti-doping regulations do not provide for a mandatory provisional suspension," NADA has said.

Ansah said he had been drafted in as a late replacement at short notice for the Diamond League race in Monaco on July 10. The day before, he said he had been about to set off for the airport when a drugs controller rang the doorbell outside his time window and asked him to provide a doping sample.

“I was already running very late and couldn’t provide the sample at such short notice, especially as I’d just been to the toilet. I discussed this with the inspector,” Ansah said last week.

“No offer was made for the inspector to accompany me to the airport so that I could provide the sample there. Furthermore, no consequences were mentioned. The inspector even wished me good luck in Monaco.”