Banned cyclist stands by his defence
New Zealand cyclist Karl Murray is standing by his defence that a failed drug test was caused by a contaminated supplement.
Drug Free Sport NZ has officially recognised a two-year ban Murray received after returning a positive drug test for testosterone and nandrolone in New Caledonia last year.
The New Caledonia AntiDoping Commission is not a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, which means its decisions are not automatically recognised by other anti-doping agencies.
Drug Free Sport NZ was not formally notified of the 2014 decision by the commission and only became aware earlier this year.
Once the ban was formally recognised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) in March, Drug Free Sport NZ were able to act, chief executive Graeme Steel said.
‘‘There’s no place in sport for performance enhancing drugs and we’re disappointed that a New Zea-
of
the
ban land athlete has tested positive for steroids. Athletes need to know that they can be tested anywhere and at any time and they shouldn’t think they won’t get caught.’’
Murray preferred not to comment on the confirmation of the ban on Monday, but stands by his assertion that private testing of a supplement he was taking at the time had come back positive for steroids.
‘‘Under no circumstances had I knowingly taken anything illegal to improve my physical performance,’’ he said earlier this year.
The ban means Murray’s coaching business will be limited to recreational athletes.
Athletes who are members of national sporting organisations bound by New Zealand’s anti- doping rules cannot associate with a banned coach or medical professional without risking a two-year ban themselves.
Steel warned athletes who may be working with Murray to take heed of this.
‘‘The rules have changed, so we’re urging any New Zealand athletes who are bound by the sports anti-doping rules and who may be receiving coaching or training from Mr Murray to cease working with him.
‘‘Under the new anti-doping rules, an athlete may be committing an offence if they associate in a professional or sport-related capacity with someone who is serving a ban for doping,’’ Steel said. Murray’s ban ends on April 7, 2016.