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Thorpe shocked by drug claims
By Todd Balym
March 31, 2007
AUSTRALIA'S greatest Olympian Ian Thorpe is tonight in a state of shock as he contemplates his stellar career being tarnished by one of the biggest drugs controversies in national history.
A staunch anti-doping campaigner for the duration of his career, Thorpe awoke today to reports he returned "abnormal levels" to two banned substances from a urine sample he gave in May 2006 and that swimming's world governing body FINA has called for an investigation into the "adverse analytical finding".
Swimming Australia chief executive Glenn Tasker said the news stunned Thorpe, who was first informed of the alleged indiscretion by head coach Alan Thompson after a story appeared on the French L'Equipe website.
"Ian was obviously shocked," said Tasker.
"This must be like getting hit by a lightning bolt."
FINA confirmed it requested the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) in Switzerland last December to investigate a test conducted by Australia's Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) on an unnamed athlete.
FINA would not confirm when the hearing was to take place, leaving Thorpe hanging on an open-ended allegation.
FINA officials would not discuss specific details of the case at a press conference today, however, L'Equipe alleges Thorpe returned abnormally high readings for testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), both products on the list of banned substances.
It claims ASADA found the irregularity on the sample, but under a different test found the increased levels to be naturally occurring and dismissed the case.
But FINA doesn't believe it was thoroughly investigated and has sought intervention from the CAS to have the matter reopened.
Dr Andrew Pipe from the FINA Doping Control Review Board explained it was within FINA's right to appeal ASADA's decision to find whether a doping violation occurred.
"The WADA code provides for an opportunity to appeal against a decision not to declare an adverse analytical finding a positive test or conversely appeal a decision to declare an adverse analytical finding a positive violation," said Dr Pipe.
"That decision makes the basis of appeal."
The news has stunned the worldwide swimming community who is gathered in Melbourne for the world championships.
"He has always got my support and it is a joke," said Australia team captain and close friend Grant Hackett.
Thorpe was expected to attend the Susie O'Neill Pool this morning to watch former training partner Craig Stevens contest the 1500m freestyle heats, but instead spent the day in hiding and meeting his manager David Flaskas and lawyer Tony O'Reilly.
Thorpe's camp said he would "more than likely" hold a press conference tomorrow.
Tasker said SA would fully support Thorpe's quest to clear his name.
"I know he is vehemently opposed to any sort of performance enhancing drugs. He is a young man of unbelievably strong principles and integrity," said Tasker.
"I have known him for a long time since he was swimming our age championships and I will support Ian 1000 per cent."
The Australian Olympic Committee also supports the five-time Olympic gold medallist with president John Coates saying, "I have complete faith in Ian and so does the AOC, he is a person of honesty and integrity."
But while nobody is yet doubting Thorpe's innocence from the explosive claims, FINA would not take the matter to the highest level of appeal if it didn't believe there was a legitimate case to be heard.
FINA confirmed it had appealed "four or five" adverse analytical findings last year alone but wouldn't divulge how many had resulted in positive doping violation charges.
Tasker hopes people don't judge Thorpe until the truth is fully revealed.
"Right at this minute it's not a positive test but an adverse finding and hopefully reasonable thinking people will take that for what it is and won't be hanging anyone until the judge makes his decision."
But Coates fears his reputation has already been tainted.
"That's always the case," he said.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21480305-23218,00.html
By Todd Balym
March 31, 2007
AUSTRALIA'S greatest Olympian Ian Thorpe is tonight in a state of shock as he contemplates his stellar career being tarnished by one of the biggest drugs controversies in national history.
A staunch anti-doping campaigner for the duration of his career, Thorpe awoke today to reports he returned "abnormal levels" to two banned substances from a urine sample he gave in May 2006 and that swimming's world governing body FINA has called for an investigation into the "adverse analytical finding".
Swimming Australia chief executive Glenn Tasker said the news stunned Thorpe, who was first informed of the alleged indiscretion by head coach Alan Thompson after a story appeared on the French L'Equipe website.
"Ian was obviously shocked," said Tasker.
"This must be like getting hit by a lightning bolt."
FINA confirmed it requested the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) in Switzerland last December to investigate a test conducted by Australia's Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) on an unnamed athlete.
FINA would not confirm when the hearing was to take place, leaving Thorpe hanging on an open-ended allegation.
FINA officials would not discuss specific details of the case at a press conference today, however, L'Equipe alleges Thorpe returned abnormally high readings for testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), both products on the list of banned substances.
It claims ASADA found the irregularity on the sample, but under a different test found the increased levels to be naturally occurring and dismissed the case.
But FINA doesn't believe it was thoroughly investigated and has sought intervention from the CAS to have the matter reopened.
Dr Andrew Pipe from the FINA Doping Control Review Board explained it was within FINA's right to appeal ASADA's decision to find whether a doping violation occurred.
"The WADA code provides for an opportunity to appeal against a decision not to declare an adverse analytical finding a positive test or conversely appeal a decision to declare an adverse analytical finding a positive violation," said Dr Pipe.
"That decision makes the basis of appeal."
The news has stunned the worldwide swimming community who is gathered in Melbourne for the world championships.
"He has always got my support and it is a joke," said Australia team captain and close friend Grant Hackett.
Thorpe was expected to attend the Susie O'Neill Pool this morning to watch former training partner Craig Stevens contest the 1500m freestyle heats, but instead spent the day in hiding and meeting his manager David Flaskas and lawyer Tony O'Reilly.
Thorpe's camp said he would "more than likely" hold a press conference tomorrow.
Tasker said SA would fully support Thorpe's quest to clear his name.
"I know he is vehemently opposed to any sort of performance enhancing drugs. He is a young man of unbelievably strong principles and integrity," said Tasker.
"I have known him for a long time since he was swimming our age championships and I will support Ian 1000 per cent."
The Australian Olympic Committee also supports the five-time Olympic gold medallist with president John Coates saying, "I have complete faith in Ian and so does the AOC, he is a person of honesty and integrity."
But while nobody is yet doubting Thorpe's innocence from the explosive claims, FINA would not take the matter to the highest level of appeal if it didn't believe there was a legitimate case to be heard.
FINA confirmed it had appealed "four or five" adverse analytical findings last year alone but wouldn't divulge how many had resulted in positive doping violation charges.
Tasker hopes people don't judge Thorpe until the truth is fully revealed.
"Right at this minute it's not a positive test but an adverse finding and hopefully reasonable thinking people will take that for what it is and won't be hanging anyone until the judge makes his decision."
But Coates fears his reputation has already been tainted.
"That's always the case," he said.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21480305-23218,00.html