Wednesday 3 June 2009

Don't even think about it ....

29 May 2009
DOPING VIOLATION
Two-year sanction for triathlete: attempted use of steroids
Australian triathlete Nathan Hollands, a competitor in Ironman, Half-Ironman and
Triathlon events, has accepted a two-year sanction for attempted use of anabolic
steroids.

The sanction results from a failed attempt by Mr Hollands to import anabolic
steroids from Thailand. The sanction was imposed by Triathlon Australia following an
investigation conducted by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).
Investigations into the attempted importation began when a package addressed to Mr
Hollands was intercepted by Australian Customs and Border Protection Service on 9
March 2008. The envelope’s were examined and found to contain the prohibited
anabolic steroid methandienone (Dianabol) disguised as financial statements.
Customs and Border Protection investigators seized the package and notified ASADA as a part of the joint agreement between the two agencies in relation to illegal importations of Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs (PIEDs).

An ASADA investigation into the importation identified a serious violation of anti-doping rules which resulted in Mr Hollands accepting a two year ban from sporting competition, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code.

ASADA Chairman Richard Ings said “this sanction further demonstrates that Australia’s
anti-doping partnership between ASADA and Customs and Border Protection investigators
is successful in detecting serious doping cases that would otherwise have gone
undetected”. Customs and Border Protection National Manager Investigations Richard Janeczko said “the partnership between the two agencies ensures that the community is kept safe from the illegal importation of such drugs, and that ASADA can effectively carry out its role in ensuring that Australian sport is doping free”.

Mr Hollands waived his right to a hearing and accepted a two-year ban from involvement in sport. His ban commenced on 1 May 2009 and he will be eligible to return to sport on
1 May 2011.
-ENDS

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