KINGSTON, Jamaica — Four Jamaican runners who had acknowledged using a banned substance have been suspended from track and field for three months.

The suspensions for Yohan Blake, Lansford Spence, Marvin Anderson and Allodin Fothergill took effect immediately after Monday’s sentencing hearing assembled by Jamaica’s Sports Ministry.
The four had admitted to taking a banned stimulant before Jamaica’s National Championships in June. A disciplinary panel had initially cleared them, but that ruling was appealed by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission.
The athletes and their attorneys were not willing to comment on the outcome.
Last month, defense attorney Lincoln Eatmon said his clients acknowledged guilt to avoid a “lengthy, expensive battle.”