Harry Wiltshire Suspended For Six Months

Great Britain’s Harry Wiltshire has been suspended for six months for blocking world champ Javier Gomez during the ETU European Championships.

See the complete press release from the ITU below:

The International Triathlon Union (ITU), the worldwide governing body for triathlon, today announced it has imposed a six-month suspension on British triathlete Harry Wiltshire due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the 2011 Pontevedra ETU Triathlon European Championships on June 25, 2011.

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The suspension begins June 26, 2011 and prohibits Wiltshire from taking part in ITU competitions or competitions sanctioned by National Federations affiliated to ITU.

Following the elite men’s race at the European Championships, Wiltshire’s alleged unsafe and unsportsmanlike conduct during the race was investigated. The ITU Executive Board voted to impose a six-month suspension against Wiltshire based on the evidence from the race and testimonies from the on-course technical officials. Wiltshire had already been disqualified by the Chief Swim Official based on violations to the ITU Competition Rules (2.1 a.) (i), 3.3 a.) (i), Appendix L 6, and Appendix L 7). This decision was upheld by the Referee and there was no appeal by the athlete’s federation upon notification.

The ITU is strongly committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport by ensuring athletes are competing within the competition rules and with a high degree of sportsmanship.