Olympic triple jump bronze medallist has been cleared of an anti-doping violation by CONI ©Getty Images

CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee, has acquitted eight athletes, including Olympic triple jump bronze medalist Fabrizio Donato and former European champion long jumper Andrew Howe, of failing to supply doping samples.

The eight were among 26 athletes facing two-year bans after being accused by the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) in December of avoiding doping controls or failing to be available for them.

CONI said in a statement that decisions on the remaining 18 had still to be taken.

The case followed a police investigation in the northern Italian region of Trentino Alto Adige.

American-born Howe won the European long jump title in 2006 and a World Championship silver medal a year later.

Former European long jump champion Andrew Howe is among eight Italian athletes of failing to provide a sample for a drugs test ©Getty Images
Former European long jump champion Andrew Howe is among eight Italian athletes of failing to provide a sample for a drugs test ©Getty Images

The 39-year-old Donato was European triple jump champion in 2012 and finished third at London 2012.

European marathon champion Daniele Meucci, 2013 European Indoor triple jump champion Daniele Greco, former Rome City Marathon winner Ruggero Pertile and 2009 Mediterranean Games hammer gold medallist Silvia Salis were allcleared.

The 2010 European Championships marathon gold medallist Anna Incerti and two-time European cross country champion Andrea Lalli were also acquitted, CONI said.

Italy's Athletics Federation had defended the 26 athletes involved in the case, claiming the affair was a question of inefficient procedures rather than illicit substances.

It has blamed communication failings due to faulty fax machines, problems with email passwords and digital apps that did not work properly.

The case may not be over yet, however, as the NADO are expected to appeal against the decision.