Sea Games cyclist stripped of gold medal

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)