News: Media Release - 17 June 2008 - Cyclist sanctioned

Australian cyclist receives 15 month sanction

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today acknowledged the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to hand down a ban for 15 months to professional Australian cyclist, Mr Nathan O’Neill for a doping violation.

Mr O’Neill, a Commonwealth Games Gold and Bronze medallist and eight times Australian Time Trial Champion, tested positive for the stimulant Phentermine in an in-competition sample collected on 12 August 2007, following the ‘Tour of Elk Grove’ cycling event in the United States.

Under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, the presence of this substance in an athlete’s sample attracts up to a maximum of a two year period of ineligibility.

In making the ruling, the CAS determined that Mr O’Neill had been able to demonstrate a degree of no significant fault or negligence and thereby imposed a lesser penalty.

ASADA Chairman Mr Richard Ings said that ASADA was now reviewing the CAS decision, in consultation with the UCI and Cycling Australia.

The sanction, which was backdated to the day the sample was collected means Mr O’Neill will not be eligible to recommence competition until 12 November 2008.

» Download Media Release
   [ PDF 46 Kb | RTF 793 Kb ]

Archive:
» More ASADA Media Releases...

About ASADA

ASADA is Australia’s peak anti-doping authority with wide ranging powers established under legislation to deter, detect and present cases at tribunals against athletes and their support personnel found in breach of Australia’s anti-doping rules.

ASADA’s vision is to be Australia’s driving force for pure performance in sport; ASADA’s mission is to protect Australia’s sporting integrity through the elimination of doping.

Stamp out doping

Anyone with information about an athlete or their support personnel involved in doping should call the Stamp Out Doping Hotline on 1800 645 700.

More information

Media organisations can contact ASADA's Media Manager for more information on:

NOTE: You will need Adobe Reader in order to view PDF files.

To download Adobe Reader go to http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.

Acrobat Reader

Go to top of page

 

This page last updated Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Copyright © 2008, Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA)