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News: Media Release - 10 June 2008 - Powerlifter banned

Australian powerlifter banned for two years for doping offences

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today announced that Queensland powerlifter Badrun Saion has been handed a two year suspension for presence and use of prohibited substances by Powerlifting Australia.

Mr Saion tested positive for the synthetic steroid Stanozolol and the powerful stimulant Ephedrine, both banned under the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Code, from an in competition sample collected by ASADA at the Australian Powerlifting Championships on 29 July 2007.

In making the announcement, ASADA Chairman Richard Ings said there were no legitimate reasons for the athlete to have these substances in his sample.

"This was a very serious case involving both a powerful steroid and a stimulant, both of which served no other purpose but to enhance performance," Mr Ings said.

He added that ASADA was pleased that Powerlifting Australia was so committed to eliminating doping from their sport.

"ASADA applauds Powerlifting Australia’s commitment to promoting pure performance in their sport and looks forward to continuing to work closely together to protect the integrity of powerlifting in Australia."

The sanction, which was backdated to the date the sample was collected means Mr Saion will be eligible to recommence competition from midnight 29 July 2009.

ASADA also announced the decision by Softball Australia to hand down a three month suspension to Tatiana Holodnow for the presence of cannabis in a sample collected by ASADA on 9 November 2007.

The presence of cannabis in a sample is not only a breach of the WADA Code, but a serious risk to the health and well being of the athlete.

ASADA also acknowledged the decision by Swimming Australia to suspend swimmer Jason Cohen for one month for using Finasteride without having a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in place.

The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) recently changed the status of Finasteride on its Prohibited List, to now be categorised as a specified substance.

Under this change, if an athlete can demonstrate the substance was not taken to enhance performance, a sanction ranging from a warning through to a one year suspension can be imposed.

Swimming Australia was satisfied that Mr Cohen was using the substance for legitimate medical reasons and was not attempting to enhance performance or mask the use of a performance enhancing substance.

As Mr Cohen has not competed since the time of the offence he is eligible to return to competition immediately.

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