News: Media Release - 19 June 2008 - Weightlifter banned

Ninth Australian weightlifter banned for doping

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today acknowledged the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to suspend Australian weightlifter Ms Belinda Van Tienen for the maximum 2 year period.

Ms Van Tienen was sanctioned for the use of the prohibited stimulant Benzylpiperazine (BZP) while representing Australia at the Mermet Cup weightlifting event held in the United States on 24-26 June 2005.

In making the announcement, ASADA Chairman Richard Ings said Ms Van Tienen is the eighth Australian weightlifter to receive the maximum 2 year sanction for doping. A ninth Australian weightlifter was sanctioned with a lifetime ban for a second offence.

A tenth alleged doping matter involving a weightlifter placed onto the ASADA Register of Findings (RoF) remains ongoing.

In December 2006 ASADA announced a comprehensive set of measures to build a level playing field for Australian weightlifters. ASADA’s eight point Pure Performance Program has been successful in driving a new culture of doping free competition within that sport.

Australian Weightlifting Chief Executive Officer Matthew Curtain said Australian Weightlifting particularly welcomed ASADA’s Pure Performance Program.

"In adopting ASADA’s Pure Performance Program, Australian Weightlifting and our athletes have demonstrated our commitment to doping free sport," Mr Curtain said.

The ASADA Pure Performance Program has now been successfully extended to include the Australian Olympic Team bound for Beijing and the UCI Tour Down Under event in January 2008.

ASADA is now in discussions with a number of Australian sports to further extend the availability of the Pure Performance Program.

As a result of the CAS decision, Ms Van Tienen’s results at the Mermet Cup were disqualified and the sanction backdated to the time the athlete last competed, which means that she will be eligible to recommence competition on 27 November 2008.

Weightlifting sanctions 2006-2008

  • Belinda Van Tienen - 2 years (Use of BZP)
  • Corran Hocking - 2 years (Presence of BZP)*
  • Jenna Myers - 2 years (Presence of BZP)*
  • Deborah Groves - 2 years (Refusal to provide sample)
  • Camilla Fogagnolo - 2 years (Presence of BZP)*
  • Sergo Chakhoyan - Life (Presence of BZP. Second offence)
  • Alex Karapetyn - 2 years (Use of BZP)*
  • Chris Rae - 2 years (Presence of Cannabis. Second offence)
  • Mitchil Mann - 2 years (Presence of Clenbuterol)

* Sanction completed

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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.

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This page last updated Tuesday, January 22, 2008

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