Young swimmer breaks shameful record<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): National women's swimmer Catherine Surya has
\nbeen banned two years from any competition for using steroids in
\nlast year's National Games (PON), but is set for an overseas
\ntraining session in Australia.<\/p>\n
The penalty imposed on Catherine by the Indonesian Swimming
\nAssociation (PRSI) has been valid since September of last year.<\/p>\n
Catherine won seven gold medals and holds five national
\nrecords during the PON. She also holds another dubious record --
\nat age 13, she becomes the world's youngest athlete to be banned
\nfor using performance enhancing substances.<\/p>\n
\"We received a letter informing us of the ban signed by
\nSanjoto Sastrowardojo, PRSI chairman, on Sunday,\" Sumanas Surya,
\nCatherine's father, said Monday. He indicated that he would not
\nask for appeal, saying that his 13-year-old daughter was mentally
\nready to serve the sentence.<\/p>\n
The father said his daughter's life had returned to normal and
\nshe was willing to go to her junior high school everyday.<\/p>\n
Sumanas, however, hoped to hear good news from the
\ninternational swimming federation (FINA) which has yet to respond
\nPRSI's appeal for a reduction of Catherine's suspension.<\/p>\n
Catherine, a native of Cirebon, West Java, has maintained her
\nregular training program in her home town prior to her departure
\nfor Australia. She will leave after the end of her school
\nsemester in June. The West Java sports body will fund Catherine's
\noverseas program.<\/p>\n
\"Catherine will make her first appearance at the national age
\ngroup competitions next year,\" Sumanas, who is also Catherine's
\ncoach, said.<\/p>\n
Many swimming observers expected to see the women's swimmer
\nshine in October's Asian Games after her brilliant splash last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
The national sports governing body (KONI) found her, as well
\nas four Yogyakarta cyclists, guilty for using nandrolone anabolic
\nsteroids following drug tests conducted in a laboratory in
\nBeijing. KONI said upon revealing the findings that the athletes
\nhad consumed the steroids in large quantities and over a long
\nperiod of time. (amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/young-swimmer-breaks-shameful-record-1447899208",
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