Jarrod Bannister banned after missing drug tests Jarrod Bannister. Australian javelin thrower Jarrod Bannister, a dual Olympian and former national champion, has been banned for 20 months after missing three drug tests. The former Commonwealth gold medallist has been banned from competing until 18 February 2015 by the Court of Arbitration for Sport because he missed three drug tests in an 18 month period. Bannister said in a statement on his Facebook page that the court had agreed that he had not deliberately set out to dodge the tests, but that missing three tests in that time period is considered by the sport's governing body to be tantamount to a failed drug test. Bannister criticised Athletics Australia for deficiencies in their handling of athletes and implied they were partly responsible for at least one of his missed drug tests. Bannister warned other athletes about being vigilant with diarising their movements and when dealing with Athletics Australia. "It was found that there was no deliberate action by myself to avoid being tested, that finding is consistent with my defence submissions at the hearing on the 21 June 2013," he said. I respect the award issued by Mr Alan Sullivan SC, naturally I am still deeply disappointed at receiving the period of ineligibility. To safeguard other athletes, especially Australian Athletes I would encourage them to be vigilant when dealing with Athletics Australia and ASADA. He urged athletes to ask to check the room list daily, even when they are accommodated by Athletics Australia, to maintain written correspondence with AA rather than verbal, and never to take lightly the strict requirements of ASADA, WADA or AA and the requirements of the athlete whereabouts policy. I do hope that Athletics Australia, ASADA and WADA take on board the comments by Mr Sullivan SC, based on those comments those organisations should review their operations and procedures. There are deficiencies in the way these organisations go about their business," he said. I would encourage all athletes, parents, family, Athletic Governing bodies to read the 22 July 2013 Judgment which can be found on the ASADA website. I hope that what has happened to me does not happen to any other Athlete. From now until February 18 2015 I will train harder then ever to ensure my return to competition is successful. Bannister has previously had his funding pulled and was banned from every institute of sport in Australia after an accounting anomaly.