Lagat not to appeal ruling on damages claim

NAIROBI, Oct 27 (Reuters) Olympic 1,500 metres silver medallist Bernard Lagat said today he would not appeal against a German court ruling rejecting his claims for damages over a failed drugs test.

The Kenyan-born American had sought compensation from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after an 'A' sample of his tested positive for the blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO) in August 2003.

He was later cleared after the 'B' sample was negative.

But a Cologne court in September rejected for a second time his claim for lost earnings.

''After weighing up all the factors involved, I have decided not to pursue my case any further against the IAAF and WADA,'' he said.

''I have been involved in trying to get justice for more than three years since I was proven innocent of having taken a performance-enhancing drug and this has taken a lot of emotional energy.'' Lagat, then running for Kenya, missed the 2003 Paris world championships and some subsequent meetings after he tested positive.

He became a U S citizen last year.

REUTERS DH BS1623