Torri Edwards loses drug appeal

ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A two-year suspension was upheld Tuesday for American track star Torri Edwards, eliminating her final hope of competing at the Olympics.

The international Court of Arbitration for Sport made the ruling, one day after she appeared at a six-hour hearing. She was banned by the United States Anti-Doping Agency for drug use.

Edwards had been scheduled to run in the 100 and 200 meters. She will be replaced by three-time gold medalist Gail Devers in the 100 and by La Shaunte'a Moore in the 200.

Devers won the 100 a dozen years ago in Barcelona and in 1996 in Atlanta.

Edwards was suspended for using the banned stimulant nikethamide at a meet in Martinique in April. The suspension followed a hearing before a three-member arbitration panel of the American Arbitration Association.

Edwards said during an interview in July that the positive test was due to a glucose supplement she had taken.

Although the American arbitrators admitted there were, "exceptional circumstances," in Edwards' case, the international track and field governing body said she had to follow the strict letter of the law.