SandBox
July 16th, 2004, 17:13
Wade, Edwards join list of US athletes under drug spotlight
Last Updated: Fri Jul 16 12:04:51 EDT 2004
CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Two more American athletes are on the hotseat for alleged substance abuse, according to two separate reports.
U.S. sprinter Torri Edwards has tested positive for a banned stimulant, track and field's governing body reported on Thursday, and a report on the Chicago Tribune's website Friday claims that hurdler Larry Wade, a medal hopeful for the U.S. Olympic team, has tested positive for a banned steroid.
The International Association of Athletics Federations revealed that Edwards, runner-up in the women's 100 metres in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials last Saturday, tested positive for nikethamide at a meet in Fort-de-France, Martinique, in April.
IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said that analysis of Edwards' backup B sample confirmed the positive result, and that her status for the Athens Olympics will be determined at a hearing on Monday.
Under international rules, sanctions for use of stimulants range anywhere from a public warning to a two-year ban.
Edwards's voice was shaky as she contemplated being banned from next month's Olympics in Athens.
"It would be horrible," the 27-year-old told reporters on Thursday. "I've worked so hard to get to this point and I don't know what I would do if I had to sit out the Olympics."
Edwards was allegedly given glucose containing the banned stimulant nikethamide by her physical therapist and chiropractor.
A hearing in her case will be held on Monday near Los Angeles. If she is banned from the Games, Edwards has promised take her fight to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"I've never taken any performance-enhancing drugs of any kind, and never will. I have never had a need for it," Edwards said.
"In my frustration, I've told my family and friends, and even my agent that I won't come back if I have to sit out for two years for something that was inadvertent," Edwards said.
Emanuel Hudson, who acts as agent for both Edwards and Larry Wade, said he did not believe Edwards would retire.
"I really don't want the public warning," Edwards said. "I want to get off totally if I can. I didn't take the glucose to help myself run faster. I took the glucose to make me feel better."
"I was really hesitant about even coming forward with this on my own just because of all the BALCO stuff that's been going on," Edwards said, referring to the doping scandal that has engulfed U.S. athletics.
"I didn't want to be grouped with that because this situation is nothing like that," she said. "I wanted people to know that. I feel horrible that I've added to it in some way. I've always promoted a clean sport."
The loss of Edwards would be a major blow to the U.S. Olympic team. Edwards is considered a strong contender for medals in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4x100 metres relay.
Edwards was awarded the gold medal in the 100 metres at the 2003 world championships after Kelli White, another U.S. sprinter, was stripped of the title this year. White was slapped with a two-year ban after admitting use of steroids and several other banned substances.
In the case of Larry Wade, however, Hudson told Reuters that he has received "no letter from the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) or USATF (USA Track & Field) saying that Larry Wade has tested positive for a steroid."
The Chicago Tribune, on the other hand, said it had learned from sources that norandrosterone, a metabolite of three anabolic steroids, had been found in Wade's urine sample at a meeting earlier this season, although it did not know the location of the test in question.
Norandrosterone is part of a chemical reaction relating to the presence of steroids in the body, the Tribune said.
As in the Edwards case, a conviction will mean a two-year ban for Wade, which he may appeal.
The Edwards and Wade cases are only the latest incidents to rock the U.S. Olympic team.
Four U.S. athletes, including world 100 record-holder Tim Montgomery, face lifetime bans after the United States Anti Doping Agency accused them of doping violations, even though none has tested positive.
The accusations stem from evidence presented in the criminal probe of the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (BALCO) of Burlingame, Calif. Two other athletes are competing in the U.S. Olympic trials despite positive drug tests because their cases have not been resolved.
with files from CP Online, The Chicago Tribune and Reuters
http://www.cbc.ca/story/olympics/national/2004/07/15/Sports/torriedwards040715.html
Last Updated: Fri Jul 16 12:04:51 EDT 2004
CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Two more American athletes are on the hotseat for alleged substance abuse, according to two separate reports.
U.S. sprinter Torri Edwards has tested positive for a banned stimulant, track and field's governing body reported on Thursday, and a report on the Chicago Tribune's website Friday claims that hurdler Larry Wade, a medal hopeful for the U.S. Olympic team, has tested positive for a banned steroid.
The International Association of Athletics Federations revealed that Edwards, runner-up in the women's 100 metres in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials last Saturday, tested positive for nikethamide at a meet in Fort-de-France, Martinique, in April.
IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said that analysis of Edwards' backup B sample confirmed the positive result, and that her status for the Athens Olympics will be determined at a hearing on Monday.
Under international rules, sanctions for use of stimulants range anywhere from a public warning to a two-year ban.
Edwards's voice was shaky as she contemplated being banned from next month's Olympics in Athens.
"It would be horrible," the 27-year-old told reporters on Thursday. "I've worked so hard to get to this point and I don't know what I would do if I had to sit out the Olympics."
Edwards was allegedly given glucose containing the banned stimulant nikethamide by her physical therapist and chiropractor.
A hearing in her case will be held on Monday near Los Angeles. If she is banned from the Games, Edwards has promised take her fight to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"I've never taken any performance-enhancing drugs of any kind, and never will. I have never had a need for it," Edwards said.
"In my frustration, I've told my family and friends, and even my agent that I won't come back if I have to sit out for two years for something that was inadvertent," Edwards said.
Emanuel Hudson, who acts as agent for both Edwards and Larry Wade, said he did not believe Edwards would retire.
"I really don't want the public warning," Edwards said. "I want to get off totally if I can. I didn't take the glucose to help myself run faster. I took the glucose to make me feel better."
"I was really hesitant about even coming forward with this on my own just because of all the BALCO stuff that's been going on," Edwards said, referring to the doping scandal that has engulfed U.S. athletics.
"I didn't want to be grouped with that because this situation is nothing like that," she said. "I wanted people to know that. I feel horrible that I've added to it in some way. I've always promoted a clean sport."
The loss of Edwards would be a major blow to the U.S. Olympic team. Edwards is considered a strong contender for medals in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4x100 metres relay.
Edwards was awarded the gold medal in the 100 metres at the 2003 world championships after Kelli White, another U.S. sprinter, was stripped of the title this year. White was slapped with a two-year ban after admitting use of steroids and several other banned substances.
In the case of Larry Wade, however, Hudson told Reuters that he has received "no letter from the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) or USATF (USA Track & Field) saying that Larry Wade has tested positive for a steroid."
The Chicago Tribune, on the other hand, said it had learned from sources that norandrosterone, a metabolite of three anabolic steroids, had been found in Wade's urine sample at a meeting earlier this season, although it did not know the location of the test in question.
Norandrosterone is part of a chemical reaction relating to the presence of steroids in the body, the Tribune said.
As in the Edwards case, a conviction will mean a two-year ban for Wade, which he may appeal.
The Edwards and Wade cases are only the latest incidents to rock the U.S. Olympic team.
Four U.S. athletes, including world 100 record-holder Tim Montgomery, face lifetime bans after the United States Anti Doping Agency accused them of doping violations, even though none has tested positive.
The accusations stem from evidence presented in the criminal probe of the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (BALCO) of Burlingame, Calif. Two other athletes are competing in the U.S. Olympic trials despite positive drug tests because their cases have not been resolved.
with files from CP Online, The Chicago Tribune and Reuters
http://www.cbc.ca/story/olympics/national/2004/07/15/Sports/torriedwards040715.html