Britain's Ohuruogu suspended for missing tests

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug 6 (Reuters) Britain's 400 metres Commonwealth Games champion Christine Ohuruogu has been provisionally suspended for missing three out of competition drugs tests, UK Athletics said today.

The 22-year-old was due to compete in the 400 metres heats at the European championships on Tuesday.

''UK Athletics will be dealing with this matter in accordance with its rules and procedures and the case will now be put to an independent disciplinary committee to decide if an anti-doping violation has been committed,'' the ruling body of British athletics said in a statement.

''The panel will be convened as soon as is practical.'' The first out of competition test Ohuruogu missed was on October. 12, 2005, the statement read.

European 200 metres champions Kostas Kenteris and women's 100 metres champion Katerina Thanou, both Greek, are currently serving two-year suspensions for missing three drugs tests in the run-up to the 2004 Athens Olympics.

REUTERS DH RK0257