United States sprinter Fred Kerley has been provisionally suspended following an alleged anti-doping whereabouts violation, as announced by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Tuesday. The 30-year-old athlete, who secured a bronze medal in the 100m at the Paris Games last summer, could face a two-year ban if the charges are upheld. According to the World Anti-Doping Code, an athlete is prohibited from missing three anti-doping tests and/or filing failures within a 12-month period.

In a statement shared on X, Kerley's legal team expressed his intention to contest the allegations. The statement emphasized that Kerley believes one or more of the missed tests should be dismissed due to either his lack of negligence or the doping control officer's failure to reasonably locate him at his designated location.

Kerley, who claimed the 100m gold at the 2022 World Championships, last competed at the Grand Sprint Series in Norwalk, California, in July. He recently withdrew from the US track and field trials, citing personal challenges on social media: "The 100m should be a straight sprint. 2025 has presented many hurdles."

This year has been tumultuous for Kerley. In January, he was tasered and arrested following a confrontation with police in Miami, Florida. Then, in May, he was reportedly arrested for allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend and fellow athlete, Alaysha Johnson. Kerley attributed these incidents to a "misunderstanding" and vowed to clear his name.

As the athletics community awaits further developments, Kerley's suspension raises questions about the future of his career and the broader implications for anti-doping regulations in track and field.