Melbourne, Sep.28 (ANI): Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe has dropped a defamation case against the publisher of a French newspaper and a journalist over doping claims.
Thorpe had sued the daily sports newspaper L'Equipe, its publisher, and journalist Damien Ressiot, over an article published in March 2007.
The paper claimed Thorpe gave a urine sample in May 2006 that showed abnormal levels of testosterone and a luteinising hormone.
According to news.com.au, Thorpe's solicitor Tony O'Reilly said despite being served with the proceedings several times, counsel for neither L'Equipe nor Mr Ressiot appeared in court.
"In these circumstances Ian has decided not to pursue the proceedings as he sees little point in obtaining a verdict in the absence of Mr Ressiot and the publisher of L'Equipe," O'Reilly said today.
In August 2007, the Australia Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), which went on to investigate the claims, cleared Thorpe, stating there was no evidence to support the allegation he used performance enhancing drugs.
FINA, swimming's world governing body, made similar findings.
Having won five Olympic gold medals at the Sydney and Athens games, Thorpe is Australia's most successful Olympian. (ANI)
Thorpe had sued the daily sports newspaper L'Equipe, its publisher, and journalist Damien Ressiot, over an article published in March 2007.
The paper claimed Thorpe gave a urine sample in May 2006 that showed abnormal levels of testosterone and a luteinising hormone.
According to news.com.au, Thorpe's solicitor Tony O'Reilly said despite being served with the proceedings several times, counsel for neither L'Equipe nor Mr Ressiot appeared in court.
"In these circumstances Ian has decided not to pursue the proceedings as he sees little point in obtaining a verdict in the absence of Mr Ressiot and the publisher of L'Equipe," O'Reilly said today.
In August 2007, the Australia Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), which went on to investigate the claims, cleared Thorpe, stating there was no evidence to support the allegation he used performance enhancing drugs.
FINA, swimming's world governing body, made similar findings.
Having won five Olympic gold medals at the Sydney and Athens games, Thorpe is Australia's most successful Olympian. (ANI)
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