Reprieved Ohuruogu issues dope-test warning
LONDON: Christine Ohuruogu told other British athletes to learn from her mistakes as she celebrated being allowed the chance to compete at next year's Beijing Olympics after her successful appeal against a lifetime ban from all future Games for missing drugs tests.
Her comments came as the head of UK Athletics warned that, despite what had happened to world 400m champion Ohuruogu, there were other British competitors on the verge of falling foul of the 'three strikes and out' rule.
Ohuruogu was banned by athletics authorities for 12 months after missing three drugs tests between October 12, 2005, and July 26, 2006.
But just 23 days after that ban ended she upset the odds to win the world 400m title in Osaka, Japan, in August in a race where Britain's Nicola Sanders was the runner-up.
Neverthless, she was still left facing a Games ban because of a British Olympic Association by law, which says any athlete who is found guilty of a doping offence, which in their view also includes missing a test, will not be allowed to represent the country at athletics' greatest event.
However, on Tuesday, Ohuruogu's appeal against the ban was upheld.
Ed Warner, the chairman of UK Athletics, who accompanied the one-lap specialist at a news conference in London on Tuesday, said three other British athletes had missed two tests during the proscribed five-year period, meaning they were close to facing a similar ban to that imposed on Ohuruogu.
But the difference in their cases is that such a suspension would keep them out of action in an Olympic year.
"Ensure your coach, your friends and your family keep reminding you not to miss another test," warned Ohuruogu.
Having grown up in Stratford, east London, where the 2012 Olympics will be staged and being touted as 'the face' of those Games, Ohuruogu, 23, was understandably elated by the appeal verdict.
"I am so, so happy," said Ohuruogu. "I can honestly say I am not a drugs cheat because I have been tested during the time of my ban and during the time of my competitions."
The 2006 Commonwealth Games champion added: "The testing procedures we have in place are there for a valid reason and I have accepted full responsibility for missing the tests.
"The rule was there, the punishment was there and I took what was due to me.
"I do kind of kick myself sometimes because of what happened, but I did not wish for it and believe I dealt with it as best I could.
"It is fantastic to know that I can compete in the Olympics again."
And looking further ahead, Ohuruogu said she was particularly excited by her prospects for 2012.
"They are so near to my home and to have my family there is something I cannot wait for. I would treasure it forever."
Athletes could have even less excuse for falling foul of the authorities under a proposal from the World Anti-Doping Agency.
At present they have to wait five years until a missed test is removed from their record. But a redrafted rule, due to be implemented in January 2009, could see this period cut to 18 months.
AFP
(China Daily 11/29/2007 page23)
