A court in Belgium has dropped a criminal case against former world cycling champion Tom Boonen over alleged cocaine use. The court says Boonen has "been punished enough" in wake of his positive test for cocaine in an out-of-competition doping control last year.
The court, in the northwestern city of Turnhout, announced its decision today. Boonen was barred from last year's Tour de France and Swiss tour as a result of failing the test.
Belgian prosecutors had opened a case against Boonen into possible cocaine possession after the tests were made public last June. Boonen has never confirmed or denied allegations of cocaine use. The 2005 world road-race champion is currently participating in the Tour of Qatar.