The Hindu : Sport / Swimming : Thorpe tested positive, says report

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Sunday, Apr 01, 2007
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Thorpe tested positive, says report

CANBERRA: Former Olympic champion Ian Thorpe of Australia tested positive for banned hormone testosterone before his retirement last year, said French newspaper L'Equipe's on its website on Friday.

The 24-year-old, who retired in November, was a major star of the sport, winning five Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles, while also setting 23 world records.

But according to L'Equipe, he tested positive for abnormally high levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone.

L'Equipe added that the Australian Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA) decided to close the file because they did not have sufficient ``scientific certitude.'' However, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an effort to reopen the file.

Concerned

Leading swimming coaches said on Saturday they are concerned Australian great Ian Thorpe's celebrated career may be smeared by doping allegations.

Neither FINA nor Swimming Australia would confirm the athlete's identity as being Thorpe. However world swimming governing body did not deny the report that named the retired 24-year-old superstar.

FINA did confirm it has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport on a doping test, saying it was seeking clarification of the adverse analysis.

The news has rocked the swimming world with Thorpe recognised as a prominent campaigner against the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport.

News conference

Thorpe was at Rod Laver Arena for the next-to-last night of the World championships, sitting among the Australian team, but not making himself available to the media. He planned a news conference on Sunday.

Thorpe's father denied that his son did anything wrong. ``Ian has been clean all his life,'' Ken Thorpe said. ``He never even used to take antibiotics. The only way he has got where he has is through hard work.'' — Agencies

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