Local Olympic Athlete Expelled After Drug Test

Nicholas Delpopolo, U.S. Judoka, a Westfield native and son of a Cranford teacher has been expelled from the Olympic games after testing positive for marijuana. He had placed seventh in his division at the 2012 London Olympics. 

As a result, the International Olympic Committee has disqualifed Delpopolo's result from the men's 73 kg Judo event (see the full statement attached).

According to information on the official International Olympics website, Delpopolo's diploma in the event has been withdrawn and his Olympic identity and accreditation card has been cancelled and withdrawn.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Delpopolo issued an apology: "My positive test was caused by my inadvertent consumption of food that I did not realize had been baked with marijuana, before I left for the Olympic Games. I apologize to the U.S. Olympic Committee, to my teammates, and to my fans, and I am embarrassed by this mistake."

Delpopolo continued, "I look forward to representing my country in the future and will re-dedicate myself to being the best judo athlete that I can be."

Patch will continue to update this story.