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The French skater Julien Despaux has been accused of doping at the the 2007 World Speed Skating Championships in Cali, Colombia, where he won three silver medals. Elevated levels of testosterone were found in one of Despaux's urine samples, said Carlos Orlando Ferreira, vice president of the Federation International of Roller Sports and president of the Colombian skating federation.
Julien Despaux (left) on the podium in Cali with Joey Mantia (center) and Gregorio Duggento during the awards ceremony for the 300 meters. "We regret this very much," Ferreira said. "The athlete has a right to have his second sample checked. The French skater must show that the testosterone wasn't produced artificially; that it was the result of other medical substances or that his body produces abnormal amounts of testosterone." Unless he can vindicate himself, the 22-year-old skater will be banned from the sport for two years and be unable to compete in national or international events. In August, Despaux won silver medals in three track events at the World Championships: the 300 meter time trail, the 500 meters and the 1000 meters. Officials did not say whether Despaux would be stripped of his medals.
Despaux is the first skater in memory to be accused of doping after competing in the World Championships. Two years ago, 16-year-old Corey Gahan of Florida was barred from competing in the junior division of the World Championships after elevated levels of testosterone were found in his urine. Gahan, a former junior national champion, was banned from the sport for two years. His father, James Gahan, later pleaded guilty to providing his son with steroids. He is awaiting sentencing and faces as much as 10 years in prison. • 2nd-day story: Despaux says new test clears him of doping Related Reading
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Copyright © 2007 by Robert Burnson | ||||||||||||||
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