Cho, who won a bronze medal at Vancouver 2010 in the 5,000 metre team relay and an individual 500m gold at the 2011 World Championships in Sheffield, admitted to bending the blade of rival skater Olivier Jean when he was alone in the locker room which saw the Canadian team having to compete with only three skaters in the relay final and coming last.

The 21-year-old, originally from South Korea, claims that he was coerced into tampering with his opponents skate by his coach Jae Su Chun, who denies any involvement.

The ISU has banned Cho for two years with the suspension backdated to October 5, 2012, and will end on October 4, 2014, while Chun, who has since resigned as United States short track speedskating coach, was also found "guilty of misconduct and of violation" of the ISU's code of ethics and given a two-year ban that will end on August 25, 2015.

Canadian Oliver Jean could not compete in the 2011World Championship relay after Cho tampered with his skate