Sigit's positive test shocks sports medic<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Sports medical expert Hario Tilarso was
\nskeptical on Thursday over allegations top badminton player Sigit
\nBudiarto tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid
\nnandrolone.<\/p>\n
\"It doesn't make sense. That kind of anabolic steroid doesn't
\nfit the characteristics of badminton players who do not rely so
\nmuch on speed and power as sprinters and swimmers,\" said Hario, a
\nmember of the doping commission in the 1996 National Games and
\nthe 1997 Southeast Asian Games.<\/p>\n
In an unusual public statement on Tuesday, the International
\nBadminton Federation announced that traces of the drug were
\ndetected in Sigit's \"A\" urine sample from the Singapore Open,
\nwhich the men's doubles specialist won with Candra Wijaya in
\nAugust.<\/p>\n
Announcements of positive drug results are usually released if
\nthe \"B\" urine sample also indicates the presence of banned
\nsubstances. The IBF conceded it took the unusual step because of
\nwidespread speculation.<\/p>\n
The test on the \"B\" sample was conducted at an International
\nOlympic Committee-sanctioned Beijing laboratory on Thursday.
\nDangsina Moeloek, another sports medical expert, witnessed the
\ntest on behalf of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).<\/p>\n
PBSI has also named Dangsina, its official doctor Michael
\nTriangto, its deputy chief in charge of athletes' development
\nMangombar Ferdinand Siregar and Justian Suhandinata, who is also
\nvice chairman of the IBF, as it representatives at a disciplinary
\nhearing to be held by the IBF following the test.<\/p>\n
Hario said nandrolone was commonly used to gain weight because
\nit builds muscles. The substance, better known as deca durabolin,
\nwas widely prescribed for underweight children in the 1970s.<\/p>\n
He was doubtful that Sigit could have obtained the drug
\nlocally.<\/p>\n
\"As far as I know, the producer of the drug was closed a long
\ntime ago. We can no longer find it at any drugstores now.\"<\/p>\n
Hario said nandrolone remained in body tissues for long
\nperiods, but was difficult to detect after the initial ingestion.<\/p>\n
The doctor believed Sigit's explanation that he consumed
\nnandrolone in herbal medicine he took on the eve of the Singapore
\nOpen.<\/p>\n
Sigit said he drank the herbal medicine to gain weight at
\nthe recommendation of his masseur, who assured him the medicine
\nwas free of banned substances. A herbal medicine makers
\nassociation announced on Thursday its members never incorporated
\nbanned ingredients in their products.<\/p>\n
Hario regretted the IBF's announcement of the \"A\" result
\nbefore the second test was conducted.<\/p>\n
Free to play<\/p>\n
Separately, PBSI secretary-general Leo Wiranata said Sigit was
\nfree to play in any tournaments pending the IBF decision.<\/p>\n
\"There are no rules which ban athletes who are under
\ninvestigation for alleged drug abuse from competing, at least
\nuntil they are proven guilty,\" Leo said.<\/p>\n
An athlete can appeal a guilty verdict.<\/p>\n
But Leo said Sigit would be unlikely to enter any tournaments
\nbefore the IBF announced the result of the second urine sample.<\/p>\n
\"The longer the IBF announcement takes, the worse it will
\naffect the player,\" Leo said.<\/p>\n
Sigit and Candra, who won the 1997 World Championships, are
\nfavored prospects for one of the six gold medals targeted by the
\nIndonesian team at the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung
\nLaksono said people would never forget Sigit's achievements even
\nif he was sanctioned. Sigit was a member of the Indonesian team
\nwhich won the Thomas Cup world men's team championship in May.
\n(yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sigits-positive-test-shocks-sports-medic-1447893297",
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