POLE Vaulter Janine Whitlock will continue the fight to clear her name after last night receiving a two-year ban from the sport for doping offences.
The Trafford athlete and British record holder did not attend the independent disciplinary committee that found her guilty of taking the banned steroid methandienone.
She is now gathering evidence for an appeal.
Depressed
Whitlock's father Tony said the case has taken it's toll on his daughter's health. He said: "It wouldn't surprise me if she suffered a nervous breakdown. She's been very depressed and close to tears."
Mr Whitlock, who has always protested his daughter's innocence, described the tribunal as a "kangaroo court".
He added: "We always knew this was going to be the verdict that's why Janine didn't attend the hearing. But it doesn't mean she is guilty.
"It was always likely they would rule a doping offence had taken place unless there had been something drastically wrong with the test.
"What we want to prove is how it got there.
"That's why Janine is gathering evidence that hasn't been heard yet to take to an appeal."
Whitlock's world fell apart after the Commonwealth Games Trials last June.
Just 24 hours after setting her latest British record it was revealed she had tested positive for methandienone.
She was immediately suspended from the sport and missed the Games and the European Championships in Munich last month.
At the time Mr Whitlock claimed Janine's drink had been spiked.
UK Athletics issued a statement after yesterday's hearing saying: "Janine Whitlock acknowledges that as UK Athletics' Doping Rules impose strict liability, it is not open to the independent Disciplinary Committee to consider her claim that she had never intentionally or knowingly taken a prohibited substance."