Sea Games cyclist stripped of gold medal

JAKARTA (JP): After waiting for about one month, the Indonesian Cycling Association finally banned the 19th SEA Games gold medalist Tonton Susanto, who was found guilty of using banned substances, for one month.

The association vice chairman, Hario Tilarso, said in a press conference yesterday that -- based on recommendation letters from the International Cycling Union dated Nov. 12 and Nov. 17, recommendation from the association's patrons Sigit Harjojudanto and Gatot Suwagio and a recommendation letter from the National Sports Council dated Nov. 1 -- Tonton will not be allowed to compete in national or international event from Dec. 22, 1997 to Jan. 21, 1998.

"Tonton's medal for the men's 40 kms Individual Time Trial will be returned to the National Sports Council as the Games organizers soon and will be handed over to the silver medalist," said Hario, who is also a sports doctor.

Filipina's Victor Espiritu won the silver in the SEA Games 40km ITT and will receive the gold while the silver will go to Razali of Malaysia and the bronze will be given to M Basri from Indonesia.

"It makes Indonesian cycling team won 13 golds, nine silvers and five bronzes," he added.

Tonton was found guilty of using fencamfamine, which has stimulant effect, in his A and B urine samples after winning the men's 40 kms Individual Time Trial event on Oct. 12.

The organizers also found that Myanmar's body builder Khin Naung Hwe was found guilty of using banned substances in his A urine sample.

But Tonton's other gold, which was won on Oct. 17 at the 175kms Individual Road Race, still belongs to him.

Tonton had said in a hearing with the association officials that he consumed three medicines without consulting his coaches and doctor because he was ill just three days before the event started.

Hario had expected that the union and the association would not have to punish Tonton because he did not intend to use the substance.

Tonton will not be able to compete in some national events in December and the Asia Cycling Championships in Ipoh, Malaysia, from Dec. 11 to Dec. 22.

In the association's letter, signed by chairman Harry Sapto, the chairman will be fully responsible for the guilt.

However, Hario said that Tonton's coaches will also be punished but the punishment will be decided by Indonesia's chef de mission.

"Tonton's coaches, Tarwi and Gatot Sanjaya, juridically will still be warned and punished. But our chef de mission, Togi Hutagaol, will decide the punishment," he said. (yan)