Arbitration Board Revokes Marsh Suspension

Henry Marsh, the U.S. record-holder in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and a four-time Olympian, Wednesday had his two-year suspension from competition revoked by the American Arbitration Assn.

Marsh, 36, was suspended early last year by The Athletics Congress, the governing body for track and field in the United States, for failing to make himself available for a drug test under TAC’s year-round random drug-testing program.

Marsh appealed twice within TAC, losing both times. Marsh then appealed to the U.S. Olympic Committee, but the USOC determined it could not resolve the matter, and the case was taken by the arbitration board. In an unusual move, executive director Harvey Schiller said the organization would support Marsh financially against TAC. It was the first time the USOC had sided with an athlete on an issue against a national governing body.

Schiller said he made the decision based on “irregularities” in TAC’s testing notification procedures, which have changed since Marsh was suspended.

Marsh said Wednesday that the board’s binding decision was welcome, as it cleared his name.

“It was a relief, really, to get the whole thing behind me,” Marsh said.

Marsh has not competed since the 1988 Olympics, where he finished sixth. He placed 10th in the 1976 Games, was voted the outstanding athlete at the 1980 U.S. Olympic trials after breaking the American record, but did not compete in the Games because of the U.S.-led boycott, and was fourth at the 1984 Olympics, collapsing at the finish line after struggling through the race because of a virus.

Although Marsh had announced his retirement after the 1988 Olympics, he says he’s ready for a comeback.

No U.S. runner has made five Olympic teams, and Marsh said it is one of his goals.

He said he will begin his comeback in Los Angeles on March 3 in a 5-kilometer run in conjunction with the Los Angeles Marathon.