LAUSANNE, Switzerland French Olympic judo champion Djamel Bouras can return to competition in March after a suspension fixed at 15 months, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled. The French Judo Federation suspended Bouras for a year from October 1997 for testing positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone ahead of the World Judo Championship. When that suspension ended, the International Judo Federation decided to extend it until the world governing body's executive committee ruled on the case.

In November, the CAS provisionally suspended that decision pending a final ruling. A three-judge panel of the court, hearing the case, reversed the international federation's decision and fixed Bouras' suspension at 15 months. Its ruling was announced Friday. The judges found that the federation's decision led to a lengthening of the athlete's suspension without resulting from an adequate disciplinary procedure,'' a statement said.

Considering that the presumption of doping constituted by the results of the analyses had not been overturned by the athlete, the CAS panel decided to suspend him for a total duration of 15 months,'' it added. Nandrolone has been forbidden by the International Olympic Committee since 1974. Since 1996, a level superior to two nanograms in urine tests has been proscribed.

Bouras was tested ahead of the Oct. 1997 World Judo Championships held in Paris. He can return to competition from March 19. (AP)