Cycling body awaits doping decision from int'l body

Cycling body awaits doping decision from int'l body

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Sports Cycle Federation is still
waiting for the International Cycling Union to punish national
cyclist Tonton Susanto, who was found to have used banned
substances in the 19th SEA Games.

The federation's vice chairman, Hario Tilarso, told reporters
yesterday that Tonton, who won two golds in the Games, did not
consume the substance intentionally.

Hario, who had spoken to Tonton, said that the cyclist
received the Reactivan medicine, which contained the stimulant
fencafamine, from "one of his family members".

"Tonton felt sick on Friday, two days before the competition.
But on Sunday, he didn't report to the medical committee during
the urine collection that he had consumed the medicine. Well,
that's his fault but I think it's because he didn't realize that
he should have reported it," he said.

Tonton was found to have used fencafamine after winning the 40
kilometers Individual Time Trial on Oct. 12. His other sample,
which was taken after winning the road race five days after his
first gold, was negative.

The organizers announced that his gold would most likely go to
silver medalist Victor Espiritu of the Philippines.

Hario said: "The decision to hand over the gold must wait
until the international federation announces its punishment to
Tonton. If he is not proven guilty, the medal still belongs to
him."

Hario rejected reports that fencafamine was included among
heavy stimulants.

"Fencafamine is a light stimulant. So I hope Tonton will get a
light punishment," he said.

"I know him as a good athlete. He has never used drugs
before."

Hario expects the federation to only warn or fine, and not
suspend, Tonton.

Hario, who is also a sports medical doctor, said the main
problem in Southeast Asian countries was that athletes and
coaches still lacked knowledge about banned substances.

"We still have to popularize the understanding of doping to
the athletes so they won't make any mistakes in the future," he
said.

The Games organizers announced Tuesday that four athletes had
used stimulants.

They are Tonton, Myanmar bodybuilder Khing Maung Htwe, and
marksman Nuanwan Kerdsumran and decathlete David Jimsumruay, both
of Thailand.

Khing, who won the bronze in the 75 kg division, tested
positive for using phenylpropanolamine. Both Kerdsumran, who won
the gold in the women's air rifle, and Jimsumruay, who won the
gold in the decathlon, had used salbutamol.

All four athletes are likely to lose their medals. (yan)