体坛英语新闻：Olympic 400m champion Merritt tested positive

LOS ANGELES, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic and world champion 400m runner LaShawn Merritt of the United States was tested positive and has accepted a provisional suspension for taking a banned drug, his lawyer said on Thursday.

According to release from lawyer Howard Jacobs, Merritt used an over-the-counter male enhancement product that contained substances that caused him to fail three successive tests from October to January.

Merritt says he hopes his family, friends and sponsors will forgive him for making a foolish, immature and egotistical mistake. The 400-meter runner will not compete until the case has been decided.