Topic: News: Turkey Suspended For Doping

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Suspension could be two years
9/23/2005

Turkish Weightlifting Federation President Hasan Akkus reacted to the temporary suspension of Turkey from international competitions by saying that national teams could be out of action for as long as 2 years.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) imposed the ban because a number of lifters failed to appear for out of competition testing by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) at Turkey's training camp in Ankara on Sept. 6.

"During the out of competition testing, Reyhan Arabacioglu, Bunyamin Sudas and Ferit Sen were not at the camp," President Akkus admitted.

"Sedat Artuc did not submit a specimen necause he had been taking medication for three weeks. He already had a medical report. Things will become clear at the next (IWF) meeting. The ban could be for up to 2 years. On the other hand, the lifters might get off with a warning for breaking regulations."

The IWF meeting which will consider the matter takes place during the World Championship in Qatar in November. This means Turkey is ruled out of this year's Worlds. The letter signed by IWF President Tamas Ajan which notified the Turkish Federation of the suspension warned that the eventual ban which will be decided in Qatar would be "at least 2 years."

Turkey's 3-time Olympic champion Halil Mutlu is already facing an individual suspension. Mutlu tested positive for a banned substance after the European Championship earlier this year. Mutlu, who denied knowingly taking a banned substance, is still awaiting the punishment that will be slapped on him.

Rumors:The press has speculated that the affair might be linked to power struggles which have plagued the Turkish Weightlifting Federation.

In December, a newspaper published alleged transcripts of taped conversations in which then chief of the federation, Kenan Nuhut, spoke of widespread doping among women weightlifters.

"You kids will never be able to become champions without drugs. Nobody in Turkey or in the world can do that," Nuhut was quoted as saying.

The official denied the allegations and said they were fabricated by rival administrators in the federation.

Sule Sahbaz, 2003 World Championships bronze medalist in the women's 75-kg category, was expelled from the Athens Olympics after testing positive for banned substances one day before the competition.

Weightlifting is one of the most popular sports in Turkey and accounted for all three gold medals won in the 2004 Olympics.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

IWF Executive Board sanctions Turkish Federation for repeated violation of Anti-Doping Rules
11/15/2005

At its meeting held in Doha, Qatar on 15 November 2005, the IWF Executive Board discussed the issue of repeated anti-doping violations by the Turkish Weightlifting Federation's athletes and officials, while it provided a hearing to the delegation of the Federation.

The following decision was taken, with regard to the fact that the TWF has brought the IWF and the Sport of Weightlifting into disrepute:

"The IWF Executive Board hereby acknowledge the achievements of the Turkish Weightlifting Federation (TWF) having organised several international events and its valuable contribution to the Weightlifting Sport.

Sanctions

1. The TWF shall be suspended from all international events until 31st May 2006.

2. The TWF shall pay the fine of US 100,000 that is one hundred thousand US dollars, before being readmitted to the membership of IWF. The IWF Executive Board declares that the fine shall be used for the purpose anti-doping activities.

3. The TWF shall identify the coaches and athletes involved in this matter and impose the necessary sanctions.

4. The TWF shall develop and implement an Anti-Doping Education Program to be approved and monitored by the IWF Executive Board."

Having received the above decision in writing, the President of the Turkish Weightlifting Federation accepted it.