Tim Don does not intend to appeal against the ruling. His contravention was put down to a combination of forgetfulness and lack of understanding of the new testing system.

Don was tested for drugs nine times during 2006, with no adverse findings.

Tim Don's response:

"I have never taken, or even considered taking, a performance-enhancing drug in my life, and I am absolutely devastated to receive a suspension for contravening anti-doping regulations.

"I fully understand that it is my responsibility as a professional athlete to log my whereabouts on the UK Sport system and accept that it is due to my forgetfulness and lack of understanding of the online system following its launch last year that I have received this ban. However, I am a clean athlete who has been tested for drugs on nine separate occasions this year with no adverse findings, and the Tribunal and British Triathlon acknowledge there is no way I was deliberately trying to miss a test.

"On two occasions I was travelling overseas to represent Britain in international competition and failed to amend my location details. On the third occasion I went to an athletics competition in Loughborough which ran late. I arrived back home later than intended and minutes after the one hour window that is given for testing had expired.

"I am totally aware of the importance of drug testing, and fully support the efforts made by UK Sport and British Triathlon to catch cheats. However, there have been problems with the Whereabouts System, and athletes have found it difficult to use, which is why UK Sport introduced a number of improvements to the system in August. For example, you can now update your information via an automated telephone line if you can’t get on-line, as was the case with my second missed test.

"I do not intend to appeal against the decision. Instead I will try and make the best of this situation by using what has happened to me to educate other athletes, especially young athletes who have just been introduced to national anti-doping pool, so that they understand how to use the Whereabouts System, and also that they fully comprehend the consequences of failing to do so."