Discus champion Robert Harting snubs award due to Justin Gatlin nomination

German discus champion Robert Harting has revealed that he wants his nomination to be removed from the 2014 Athlete of the Year shortlist because he does not want to be associated with fellow nominee Justin Gatlin.

American sprinter Gatlin was banned from competing for four years from 2006 after failing a doping test, but has since returned to the sport.

Harting has contacted the International Association of Athletics Federations to ask them if his name can be taken off the list.

"I find the nomination great, yet I stand for it alongside a known former doping offender and for that reason I asked to be removed from the list," AAP quotes Harting as saying.

"If the IAAF doesn't fully understand the difference, then they should just forget about it."

Harting, who is currently nursing a knee ligament injury, is the reigning Olympic discus champion following his success at London 2012.