Young swimmer breaks shameful record
JAKARTA (JP): National women's swimmer Catherine Surya has been banned two years from any competition for using steroids in last year's National Games (PON), but is set for an overseas training session in Australia.
The penalty imposed on Catherine by the Indonesian Swimming Association (PRSI) has been valid since September of last year.
Catherine won seven gold medals and holds five national records during the PON. She also holds another dubious record -- at age 13, she becomes the world's youngest athlete to be banned for using performance enhancing substances.
"We received a letter informing us of the ban signed by Sanjoto Sastrowardojo, PRSI chairman, on Sunday," Sumanas Surya, Catherine's father, said Monday. He indicated that he would not ask for appeal, saying that his 13-year-old daughter was mentally ready to serve the sentence.
The father said his daughter's life had returned to normal and she was willing to go to her junior high school everyday.
Sumanas, however, hoped to hear good news from the international swimming federation (FINA) which has yet to respond PRSI's appeal for a reduction of Catherine's suspension.
Catherine, a native of Cirebon, West Java, has maintained her regular training program in her home town prior to her departure for Australia. She will leave after the end of her school semester in June. The West Java sports body will fund Catherine's overseas program.
"Catherine will make her first appearance at the national age group competitions next year," Sumanas, who is also Catherine's coach, said.
Many swimming observers expected to see the women's swimmer shine in October's Asian Games after her brilliant splash last year.
The national sports governing body (KONI) found her, as well as four Yogyakarta cyclists, guilty for using nandrolone anabolic steroids following drug tests conducted in a laboratory in Beijing. KONI said upon revealing the findings that the athletes had consumed the steroids in large quantities and over a long period of time. (amd)