By Philip HershReigning Olympic and world 400-meter track champion LaShawn Merritt faces a two-year suspension for what he said was use of an over-the-counter male enhancement product that he did not know contained the banned substance DHEA.
Merritt, 23, of Portsmouth, Va., was found positive for DHEA, a steroid, in three successive out-of-competition tests from October, 2009, through January 2010.
He called his use of the product a "foolish, immature and egotistical mistake.''
Doug Logan, the chief executive of USA Track & Field, said via telephone that Merritt had "sullied his career and put an unfortunate stigma on himself he is going to be living down the rest of his life."
His attorney, Howard Jacobs, said via telephone Merritt has yet to decide about seeking quicker resolution of the case.
Merritt apologized for his mistake in the Thursday release from Jacobs that revealed the positive tests.
"To know I have tested positive as a result of a product I used for personal reasons is extremely difficult to wrap my hands around,'' Merritt said in the statement. "I hope my sponsors, family, friends and the sport itself will forgive me for making such a foolish, immature and egotistical mistake.Logan said the Merritt's admission "indicates an extraordinary lack of maturity and an absence of the responsibility necessary to be a world-class athlete. We are disgusted by this.
"This is not frivolous. It is something he selfishly did, as he acknowledges. This young man is going to find himself the object of a lot of unnecessary jokes."
In the statement, Merritt admitted he had not read the "fine print" on the product, which the Tribune has learned was ExtenZe.
Such lack of knowledge is generally not a viable defense in doping cases.
Photo: LaShawn Merritt at the 2008 U.S. track and field trials in Eugene, Ore. (Eric Risberg/AP)
A commemorative Tribune book full of stories and photos about the Blackhawks' amazing year available now at 
All Bears news delivered to your mailbox on Friday and Monday mornings. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Get our updates on 
"To know I have tested positive as a result of a product I used for personal reasons is extremely difficult to wrap my hands around,'' Merritt said in the statement.
Ummm.... I think that was the problem to begin with, but I'm just saying.