The highest profile doping case in 2010 was that of 400 m Olympic and World Champion LaShawn Merritt. He failed three out-of-competition tests in October and December 2009, and January 2010, testing positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on each occasion. He claimed that he had inadvertently ingested the substance via an over the counter sex enhancement drug he was using at the time (ExtenZe).Shipley, Amy (2010-04-23). Olympic 400-meter champ LaShawn Merritt tests positive for steroid. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2011-01-04. Initially set for a two-year ban,US 400m star LaShawn Merritt fails drug test. BBC Sport (2010-04-22). Retrieved on 2011-01-04. he received a reduced 21-month suspension from October 2010 to July 2012 as a result of his co-operation with anti-doping authorities. However, the seriousness of the doping substance meant he was automatically banned from defending his title at the 2012 London Olympics.Cazeneuve, Brian (2010-10-20). LaShawn Merritt banned from competition for 21 months. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved on 2011-01-04.
