The Slovenian Athletics Federation (AZS) has upheld a two-year doping ban for Olympic 800m bronze medalist Jolanda Ceplak.
“It was a difficult decision to reach, but we have concluded that Jolanda Ceplak is guilty,” said Slavko Cerne, the president of the federation’s Disciplinary Commission after a seven-hour session that didn’t conclude until after midnight Thursday.
The 31-year-old Ceplak, the world indoor record holder in the 800m, tested positive for the banned blood booster EPO at an out-of-competition test in Monte Carlo on June 18, 2007. The “B” sample test confirmed the A sample finding, resulting in a provisional suspension by the sport’s international governing body, the IAAF, on July 26, 2007.
Citing illness, Ceplak was not present at the hearing, which was held behind closed doors due to “the personal and sensitive nature of some of topics” being discussed. Cerne stressed that the hearing could have been rescheduled in order for Ceplak to attend, but her attorney declined making that request.
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South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius is likely to appeal against the today’s ruling by the IAAF ruling that he gains an unfair advantage over able bodied athletes from his hi-tech false legs.
Below you will find a video report by our friends at Reuters.
In addition, please check out the front-page story in today’s New York Times by Joshua Robinson.
Earlier today The Washington Post reported that American sprinter Justin Gatlin’s doping ban had been reduced by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to four years.
Although the 25-year old sprinter had originally faced a possible eight-year ban, the reduction will not be enough to make him eligible to defend his Olympic 100m gold medal in Beijing.
The USADA announced that the ban, which had been reduced as a result of Gatlin’s help with the federal investigation of former coach Trevor Graham, will expire on May 24, 2010. Gatlin needed the ban reduced to two years in order to compete in the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials this June in Eugene, OR.
Delegates to the USATF convention who attended the open session of the Long Distance Running Division chaired by Fred Finke were anxious to debate the ban on headphones in road races which was imposed by USATF at last year’s convention.
“We realize this issue has caused a great deal of angst,” said Finke, who has received hundreds of e-mails on the subject. “It seems to be a hot button issue.”
USATF enacted the ban in accordance with a rule put in place by the IAAF which banned the use of headphones in championship events. The IAAF ban was intended to prevent athletes from receiving information via radio about the whereabouts of their rivals, a practice which is permitted in the big bicycle tours, like the Tour de France.
But in practical application, it has meant that recreational runners are not allowed to wear MP3 players, like Apple’s iPod, and listen to music during road races. Only a handful of U.S. races have actively enforced the ban.
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Olympic 800m bronze medallist Jolanda Ceplak of Slovenia edged closer to a two-year doping ban today after the nation’s athletics federation rejected any doubts about the validity of the athlete’s positive test for EPO last June.
“All doubts about the tests’ accuracy have been disproved,” said Peter Kukovica, president of the AZS, Slovenia’s athletics federation, announcing the unanimous decision by the federation’s anti-doping commission.
The 31-year-old Ceplak, the world indoor record holder in the 800m, tested positive for the banned blood booster EPO after an out-of-competition test in Monte Carlo on June 18. The B sample test confirmed the A sample finding, resulting in a provisional suspension by the sport’s international governing body, the IAAF, on July 26.
In September, the anti-doping commission was unable to reach a decision in the case, pending an additional investigation. Expert testimony since from two noted biochemists and the Slovenian athletics team doctor has dispelled any possibility of testing irregularities, Kukovica said.
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The Association of Athletics Managers (AAM) agreed at their autumn meeting in Miami last week that its members will not represent any athlete who has tested positive and was convicted of a doping violation for which he or she has served a two-year ban or longer.
The AAM represents 29 athletics managers and management firms, including big players like Jos Hermens’ Global Sports Communications and Federico Rosa’s Rosa & Associatti.
The move was applauded by the Euromeetings group, which represents 48 indoor and outdoor meetings in Europe.
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USOC seeks medals from Jones’ relay-mates
Now that Marion Jones has returned her Olympic medals in the wake of her doping admission, the United States Olympic Committee has also asked Marion Jones’ relay teammates to return their medals and promised a “completely clean” U.S. squad in 2008. The USOC request, Jones’ admission and the IOC’s pending decision on how to redistribute the medals has caused a fury of editorials, objections and controversy.
Here is a sampling of related articles and opinion pieces:
Jones’ relay teammate wants to keep bronze medal — Canadian Press
Time to target coaches, doctors and agents — Guardian (Steve Cram)
Ottey to pick up extra medal — Yahoo! Sports
Jones could’ve broken open sports scam — Seattle Times
Culpepper aims to repeat at U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
Alan Culpepper, a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Team, is looking to replicate his success at the Nov. 3 Trials in NYC. In regards to the new loop-course, Culpepper said, “I was fairly shocked when I saw the course; it (the hilly Central Park course) is going to be hard. I am doing more race-pace effort on hilly terrain this time.”
Read more at: [Daily Camera]
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Dutch distance runner Khalid Choukoud will not be permitted to run in any competitions sanctioned by the Dutch federation (KNAU), the European Athletics Association or the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) due to a positive doping test for nandrolone in early June.
A formal doping hearing will be held separately to determine Choukoud’s punishment, likely a two-year suspension.
Choukoud placed third in the Dutch 10,000m Championships in 2006 with a 29:21.98 performance. He finished 9th at the 2006 European Cross Country Championships under-23 race last December in San Giorgio su Legnano, Italy, and was the top Dutch finisher in that section. Those results would be allowed to stand as they occurred prior to the June test.
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The arbitration hearing for Olympic Gold Medalist and world record holder Justin Gatlin is scheduled for July 30-31 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Based on lab results received in April 2006 at the Kansas Relays, Gatlin tested positive for testosterone or its precursors, Gatlin faces a possible eight year suspension. Such a long suspension could potentially keep him from expanding his career as a sprinter as he will be 32 in 2014-end of the eight year term.
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Russian marathoner Lyubov Denisova has received a two year ban after failing an out-of-competition drug test on March 20, according to the IAAF. Denisova was found to have an elevated testosterone to epitestosterone ratio and traces of the anabolic compound Prostanozol were found in her samples.
Denisova, 35, is ineligible to compete from April 27, 2007 through April 26, 2009. In addition, all of her results achieved since the date of the test are annulled.
A resident of Gainesville, Fla., Denisova had a distinguished marathon career, achieving a career best time of 2:25:18 at New York in 2004.
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