Newz Forum: OLYMPICS: Munyasia loses appeal against exclusion

ATHENS, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Kenyan boxer David Munyasia's appeal against his exclusion from the Olympics after testing positive for a banned substance has been rejected, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled on Sunday.

The 24-year-old bantamweight was ousted last Tuesday after testing positive for cathine, a substance from the leaf of the qat plant, commonly chewed as a recreational drug in east Africa.

He has repeatedly said he is innocent of any wrongdoing and filed an appeal with CAS on Saturday. A hearing, which was not public, took place on Sunday.

"The appeal has been rejected," CAS secretary general Matthieu Reeb told Reuters.

"A statement with more details will be issued tomorrow (Monday)," he added.

Munyasia said he remembered only drinking coffee and an energy drink prior to being tested and taking an antibiotic to clear up a boil.

His was the first positive case among more then 200 dope tests carried out on athletes arriving in Athens since late last month.

Kenya entered two boxers at the Games and have none left.

The other one, Suleiman Bilali, pulled out last week because of injuries sustained when he was attacked and robbed near his home.

[Edited on 15-8-2004 by Ocelot]