Sepeng's fate still up in the air

It's been almost five months since the athletics world was stunned by the news that Hezekiel Sepeng had tested positive for a banned substance.

And it's almost eight since he actually produced the positive sample.

But, after missing the entire international season, the Atlanta silver medallist's fate is still up in the air.

Sepeng's coach Jean Verster explained on Thursday that a date has yet to be set for the hearing when the 800m star will get to explain how the Norandrosterone could possibly have shown up in his urine.

"We are still waiting for some of the information regarding the testing and will need time once we have it to try and figure out what happened," said Verster.

"Also, Hezekiel's doctor will be out of the country until the beginning of October and he is crucial in the whole process, so nothing can happen until he returns. This is really dragging out, but basically there is no rush any more because the athletics season is over."

Verster said that the long delay has afforded Sepeng plenty of time to assess his situation. "He went through a very bad period at the beginning when he was down on himself and down on others and thinking how could this happen when he's done nothing wrong that he knows of," said the coach.

"But in the last few weeks he's been back in training and looking extremely good. He's putting in a lot of mileage and is definitely on the up again.

"I think he just decided that he can't sit back and wait and wait so he wants to get back into some form."

Verster believes that the break from competition could possibly be just what the SA 800m record-holder needed. "If everything works out and he gets to compete again soon I don't think this break will have been such a bad thing. The psychological effect and the break from racing has made him hungrier than ever," he explained.

"The only frustrating thing is that worldwide this has been one of the weakest years in the 800m and I think Hezekiel would have had his best-ever season."

Meanwhile Linda Ferns, Athletics South Africa (ASA) general manager, confirmed that the process was being delayed by the IAAF who have yet to furnish Sepeng's legal team with the requested information.

Once that has taken place, a date can be set for the hearing, which under IAAF regulations is supposed to take place within three months of the B sample being tested.