Sigit's positive test shocks sports medic

Sigit's positive test shocks sports medic

JAKARTA (JP): Sports medical expert Hario Tilarso was
skeptical on Thursday over allegations top badminton player Sigit
Budiarto tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid
nandrolone.

"It doesn't make sense. That kind of anabolic steroid doesn't
fit the characteristics of badminton players who do not rely so
much on speed and power as sprinters and swimmers," said Hario, a
member of the doping commission in the 1996 National Games and
the 1997 Southeast Asian Games.

In an unusual public statement on Tuesday, the International
Badminton Federation announced that traces of the drug were
detected in Sigit's "A" urine sample from the Singapore Open,
which the men's doubles specialist won with Candra Wijaya in
August.

Announcements of positive drug results are usually released if
the "B" urine sample also indicates the presence of banned
substances. The IBF conceded it took the unusual step because of
widespread speculation.

The test on the "B" sample was conducted at an International
Olympic Committee-sanctioned Beijing laboratory on Thursday.
Dangsina Moeloek, another sports medical expert, witnessed the
test on behalf of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).

PBSI has also named Dangsina, its official doctor Michael
Triangto, its deputy chief in charge of athletes' development
Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar and Justian Suhandinata, who is also
vice chairman of the IBF, as it representatives at a disciplinary
hearing to be held by the IBF following the test.

Hario said nandrolone was commonly used to gain weight because
it builds muscles. The substance, better known as deca durabolin,
was widely prescribed for underweight children in the 1970s.

He was doubtful that Sigit could have obtained the drug
locally.

"As far as I know, the producer of the drug was closed a long
time ago. We can no longer find it at any drugstores now."

Hario said nandrolone remained in body tissues for long
periods, but was difficult to detect after the initial ingestion.

The doctor believed Sigit's explanation that he consumed
nandrolone in herbal medicine he took on the eve of the Singapore
Open.

Sigit said he drank the herbal medicine to gain weight at
the recommendation of his masseur, who assured him the medicine
was free of banned substances. A herbal medicine makers
association announced on Thursday its members never incorporated
banned ingredients in their products.

Hario regretted the IBF's announcement of the "A" result
before the second test was conducted.

Free to play

Separately, PBSI secretary-general Leo Wiranata said Sigit was
free to play in any tournaments pending the IBF decision.

"There are no rules which ban athletes who are under
investigation for alleged drug abuse from competing, at least
until they are proven guilty," Leo said.

An athlete can appeal a guilty verdict.

But Leo said Sigit would be unlikely to enter any tournaments
before the IBF announced the result of the second urine sample.

"The longer the IBF announcement takes, the worse it will
affect the player," Leo said.

Sigit and Candra, who won the 1997 World Championships, are
favored prospects for one of the six gold medals targeted by the
Indonesian team at the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.

Meanwhile, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung
Laksono said people would never forget Sigit's achievements even
if he was sanctioned. Sigit was a member of the Indonesian team
which won the Thomas Cup world men's team championship in May.
(yan)