The Oceania Muaythai Federation’s decision to impose a two-year sanction on 2008 International Sport Kickboxing Association’s welterweight world champion, Andrew Keogh for the possession and use of human growth hormone (hGH) was today welcomed by the Australian Sports Anti- Doping Authority (ASADA).

On 18 December 2008, Queensland Police executed a search warrant at an address in Brisbane where they discovered Mr Keogh in possession of hGH. Mr Keogh pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing dangerous drugs in the Brisbane Magistrate’s Court on 21 January 2009.

Following an investigation by ASADA, the matter was referred to the Oceania Muaythai Federation as a violation of anti-doping rules.

On 19 February 2010, the Oceania Muaythai Federation imposed a two year period of ineligibility against Mr Keogh for the possession and use of hGH.

Mr Keogh is banned from taking part in recognised sports until midnight on 19 February 2012.

Outgoing ASADA Chair, Richard Ings said that through a combination of investigations and testing ASADA has a comprehensive capability to detect and sanction athletes abusing hGH.

Since 2006, a number of athletes have been sanctioned for the possession, use or attempted use of hGH, including: Matthew Eather (rugby league); Andrew Wyper (cycling); Mark Roland (cycling); and Rhommel Pardilanan (bodybuilding).

The serious health consequences associated with the misuse of hGH is a prime reason the substance is listed as prohibited, both in-competition and out-of-competition, under the World Anti-Doping Code.

One of the most common side effects of hGH misuse is an overgrowth of bone and connective tissue that leads to a change in facial appearance, such as a protruding jaw and eyebrow bones. Misuse can also lead to abnormal growth of the hands and feet, the possible development of cancers, and a shortened life expectancy.

Human growth hormone displays anabolic properties that increases muscle mass and power. hGH leaves the system quickly when compared to substances like anabolic steroids.

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Media note:

The World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) categorises hGH as ‘S2: peptide hormones, growth factors and related substances’. The substance is prohibited under the Code and athletes in possession, using or attempting to use this prohibited substance potentially face serious penalties, including a lifetime ban for second offences.

The detection of 19 anti-doping rule violations by athletes and support personnel for the half-year period July to December 2009 continues to demonstrate the strength of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority’s (ASADA) expanded anti-doping programs.

The half-yearly result compares with a total of 29 anti-doping rule violations detected by ASADA in the 2008/09 reporting year.

Outgoing ASADA Chairman, Richard Ings said the result highlights the success of Australia’s anti-doping framework, which includes the use of investigations and intelligence capability.

“The combination of our investigations into anti-doping rule violations, which includes close ties to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and other law enforcement agencies, together with targeted testing is now an indispensible part of ASADA’s world-class anti-doping measures.

“Australian athletes and support personnel involved in doping today are warned that the increased number of detections means that their likelihood of getting caught and sanctioned is greater than ever before.

“Even athletes doping with methods undetectable today can have no comfort as targeted samples are now retained for eight years for retesting with advances in technology,” said Mr Ings.

Also during the half-year reporting period, ASADA achieved the following outcomes in the areas of deterrence, detection and enforcement, including:

• successfully carrying out its comprehensive testing program with 2,252 urine tests, 697 blood tests and 67 erythropoietin (EPO) analyses completed, with 2,261 athletes providing a sample from 44 sports
  
  
• receiving and analysing 1,043 referrals of Performance and Image Enhancing Drug seizures and information on investigations and prosecutions from the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
  
  
• conducting 88 education sessions across Australia, which were attended by 4,651 athletes and support personnel
  
  
• successfully transitioning to a new governance arrangement to ensure it remains Australia’s driving force for pure performance in sport
  
  
• launching a new website at www.asada.gov.au and accompanying online tool that allows athletes and support personnel to search for a medication or substance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and find out whether it is prohibited or permitted in sport.
  
  

“ASADA will continue to take a leadership role in the global fight against doping in sport and I would like to thank our dedicated staff, along with Australia’s national sporting organisations and our other stakeholders, for their ongoing support to achieve a level playing field for Australian athletes,” Mr Ings said.

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Register of findings June - December 2009 [PDF - 52KB]

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today welcomed the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to increase the sanction imposed on bodybuilder Kelli Johnson from six months to two years.
In September 2007, Ms Johnson competed at the 25th Women’s IFBB World Championships held in Spain. On Ms Johnson’s return to Australia the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service examined her carry-on hand luggage and seized a carton of testosterone 40mg troche with 13 tablets remaining in it.

Following an investigation by ASADA the matter was referred to the International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness (IFBB) as an alleged violation of doping rules for the possession and use of the substances testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

On 7 December 2008, the IFBB Hearing Panel imposed a six-month sanction on Ms Johnson for the possession and use of the substances testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). On 20 July 2009, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) lodged an appeal with CAS against the decision of the IFBB Hearing Panel.

On 1 February 2010, CAS ruled that:
- Ms Johnson is sanctioned with a two-year period of ineligibility, with the six-month ban already served to be credited against that period
- all competitive results obtained by Ms Johnson from 7 September 2008 be disqualified along with the forfeiture of any medals, points or prizes.

Ms Johnson is ineligible to compete in any national and international sports that have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code until midnight on 1 February 2011.

Media note: Copy of the CAS Arbitral Award is available on the WADA website.

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