Nuttapong doping case a setback for Thailand at SEA Games

[Lite Beer]

Nuttapong doping case a setback for Thailand at SEA Games
JOHN PYE, AP Sports Writer

SINGAPORE (AP) — Reigning 200-meter breaststroke champion Nuttapong Ketin's withdrawal from the Southeast Asian Games after testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol has been a major setback for Thailand at the start of the swimming competition.

Thailand chef de mission Thana Chaiprasit on Saturday said Nuttapong, who carried the Thai flag into the opening ceremony at the London 2012 Olympics, was staying in Singapore awaiting the result of testing on the B sample taken last month by the World Anti-Doping Agency before the team left for the games.

Nuttapong withdrew from the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke and two individual medleys at the SEA Games, which were officially opened Friday, causing team officials to revise down medal expectations in the pool. Thailand topped the medal count at the last SEA Games in 2013 and is again targeting top position.

The 22-year-old Nuttapong denied deliberately using clenbuterol, and was quoted in Thai media saying the banned substance must have been in a diet supplement.

"I confirmed that I did not intend to use any prohibited substance," he was quoted as saying, adding that he was shocked by the positive result because he was cautious about all medications and supplements.

The result of the B sample could be returned as early as next week, with Nuttapong facing a lengthy ban if it confirms the initial adverse finding.

Athletes across a range of sports have claimed they inadvertently ingested clenbuterol from contaminated food or from asthma medication.

Former cycling world time trial champion Michael Rogers had a provisional suspension overturned last year when he convinced the international cycling union that there was there was a significant probability that the presence of clenbuterol may have resulted from the consumption of contaminated meat from China.

In October 2013, Rogers raced in China, where clenbuterol is widely administered to livestock to build muscle and reduce fat. He tested positive days later at the Japan Cup.

Alberto Contador, who was stripped of the 2010 Tour de France title and served a two-year ban after testing positive for clenbuterol, unsuccessfully argued that he'd eaten a contaminated steak bought in Spain.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-06-07

[Strangebrew]

Wouldn't put pass a Thai to do that of course that goes for any country that pressure there countrymen to out preform others. The Hub of misuse.

[Prbkk]

Mandy Rice Davies applies: every athlete, every country : "i'm shocked"

[robblok]

Substances in sports.. believe the Americans know about that with Armstrong.. he was so adamant he did not use.

I am pretty sure that in most professional sports things like this are used. They just make sure it is not discovered.

This is not a Thai thing.. this is a sports thing.

I don't follow sports that much but im sure in my country if I was going to look for reports I could find stuff too.