Schwazer back after ban

(ANSA) - Rome, May 9 - Alex Schwazer returned from a nearly four-year ban to emerge from disgrace and qualify for the Rio Olympics by winning the 50km walk in the world team championships in Rome Sunday.
    "It's a race I won't easily forget," said Schwazer, 31, who showed no sign of a three-year nine-month break from competition in notching the season's second fastest time of three hours 39 seconds, not far off his 2007 personal best of three hours 36. 04 seconds.
    "It was a really lovely race, with an incredible support.
    "It was maybe one of the best races that I've competed in at home, an important race," said the man from the northern German-speaking Alto Adige (South Tyrol) region.
    "I don't know if this will put an end to all the controversy and honestly I don't care. All I can do is do well in my races and everyone is free to say what they want. I'm focused on what I want to do for myself, everything else is relative." The 2008 Olympic champ tested positive for EPO just before the 2012 London Games and was given the lengthy ban which initially prompted him to say he would not be returning to competition.
    But he changed his mind despite breaking up with long-time girlfriend, world champion ice skater Carolina Kostner, who was herself given a 21-month ban for helping Schwazer dodge a drugs test.
    "He has washed away his sins but regrets getting Kostner involved," said coach Sandro Donati.
    Donati said a "new life is starting" with new girlfriend, local lass Kathrin.