Christian Coleman may be facing a two-year suspension due to three missed drug tests.

The Associated Press reported on Thursday that Coleman’s team is fighting a potential ban that could keep him out of the 2019 World Championships and the 2020 Olympics. 

USADA regulations state that missing three tests in a 12-month period can yield a suspension of up to two years.

The 23-year-old was a late scratch from last week’s Diamond League meet in Birmingham.

According to the USADA database, Coleman was tested at least nine times in 2018 and 11 times in 2019. 

On Saturday, Coleman responded to the allegations in a statement to NBC's Ato Boldon.

Christian Coleman statement to @atoboldon regarding his missed drug tests, says he has a Sept. 4 hearing. pic.twitter.com/AzgzLGUU3L

— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) August 24, 2019

After Coleman's statement, USADA confirmed that he has been charged with an anti-doping rule violation for three whereabouts violations. According to USADA, two of those tests were administered by USADA and one by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).  

USADA said that a decision on Coleman's case will come on September 5th, a day after his hearing with the three-person arbitration panel.

Statement from USADA regarding Christian Coleman... pic.twitter.com/Q4rFUdskLl

— Matt Lawton (@Matt_Lawton_DM) August 24, 2019

The USADA whereabouts system requires all athletes to be available for a one-hour window each day for random, out-of-competition testing. Athletes must be at their listed location at the designated time and are able to update their location electronically.

Brianna McNeal, the 2016 Olympic 100m hurdle champion, had to serve a one-year suspension in 2017 after she missed three tests during the 2016 season.  

Coleman's absence would have massive ramifications at the World Championships in October. Coleman has the fastest 100m time in the world this year, and he’s also entered in the 200m and 4x100m relay.

Since his silver medal at the 2017 World Championships, Coleman has been the best man in the world at the event. Last year, he won the Diamond League final in a lifetime best of 9.79 and broke the world record indoors in the 60m. 

This season, he has the two fastest times of the year, 9.81 and 9.85. At the USATF Championships in July, Coleman won the 100m and placed second in the 200m. 

FloTrack is monitoring this story closely and will update this report as news continues to emerge.