Houlihan can compete at U.S. trials despite ban - USTA

Houlihan denied knowingly ingesting the substance and said she was innocent of any wrongdoing.

The 28-year-old American record-holder said this week the Athletics Integrity Unit informed her in January that a test showed she had returned an "adverse analytical finding" for nandrolone.

Shelby Houlihan will be allowed to compete in the 1500m and 5000m at the US Olympic trials despite receiving a four-year ban for testing positive for an anabolic steroid pending an appeal, USA Track & Field (USATF) said on Thursday.

The 28-year-old American record-holder said this week the Athletics Integrity Unit informed her in January that a test showed she had returned an "adverse analytical finding" for nandrolone.

Houlihan denied knowingly ingesting the substance and said she was innocent of any wrongdoing.

"Given there is an active appeal process, USATF will allow any athletes to continue competing until the process is completed," USATF Managing Director of Communications Susan Hazzard said in a written statement.

A start list for Friday's events, when the trials are set to get undwrway in Eugene, Oregon, show Houlihan is registered to compete in the 1500m and 5000m events.