Krabbe Suspended for Four Years

Germany’s track federation suspended sprint star Katrin Krabbe from competition for four years because of a drug-testing dispute, eliminating a top medal contender from the Summer Olympics at Barcelona.

Also suspended were Krabbe’s trainer, Thomas Springstein, and two other sprinters, Gret Breuer and Silke Moeller. According to experts, the urine specimens all three sprinters turned in for drug testing last month in South Africa came from the same person.

On Feb. 7, Krabbe and the other two sprinters were suspended until further tests could be conducted. The four-year bans were announced Saturday.

Krabbe, 22, who repeatedly has denied any wrongdoing, won the 100 meters and 200 meters at last summer’s World Championships in Tokyo. Her suspension throws into doubt lucrative endorsement contracts and other agreements that already have made her wealthy.

Ruediger Nickel, a high-ranking federation official, said he expects Krabbe to fight the suspension in court or with an appeal to the track organization itself.