Topic: News: Kenya: Lifter Obiero Banned After Testing Positive

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Kenya: Lifter Obiero Banned After Testing Positive

A top Kenyan weightlifter has been banned for two years after failing a dope test.

David Obiero was handed the sentence by the International Weightlifting Federation after testing positive for tamoxifen, an agent with anti-estrogenic activity which is among the prohibited substances in international sport.

The world weightlifting body has also fined the Kenya Weightlifting Federation $2,000 (Sh134,000) for the positive doping case.

Obiero, 37, who competed at the Algiers All Africa Games held in July where he finished fifth overall in the under 85 kg weight category, was tested out of competition in June by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

"On the analysis of his "A" sample, the laboratory reports that it has detected tomaxifen in his bodily specimen, which constitutes an anti-doping violation under the IWF anti-doping policy," Philippe Saint-Cyr, the chairman of IWF doping control commission, said in a letter to KWF dated August 30. Obiero could not be reached for comment yesterday.

His suspension from weightlifting activity will end on June 24, 2009.

KWF secretary Pius Ochieng was shocked by the result saying Obiero had been one of the sport's role models in Kenya. "Obiero has undergone doping tests numerous times and he has always come out clean.

"He was at the end of his career, knows what all this means, and is the last person I would expect to use banned substances," Ochieng said.

The KWF official said the executive committee would meet to decide on what action to take against Obiero.

Tamoxifen is categorised by WADA as a selective estrogen receptor modulator substance that is banned in and out of competition.

Obiero becomes the second Kenyan lifter to test positive for banned substance since Musa Gekone was busted for ingesting Cathine, commonly found in khat, or miraa, in 1990.

"We have always advocated for a drug free sport. It does not pay to use banned substances and athletes who do this only spoil the image of sports and their careers," Ochieng said.

Obiero has been one of the most consistent lifters in Kenya.

He first represented the country in a major competition in 1994 during the Victoria Commonwealth Games.

Since that time he has been to all the subsequent three Commonwealth Games and the 1999, 2003 and 2007 All Africa Games.

His consistency was rewarded with an overall Kenya team captaincy of the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games and 2003 All Africa Games in Abuja. He obtained a diploma in weightlifting coaching several years ago from Hungary and had been earmarked by the federation as a future coach of the national team.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Kenyan weightlifter Obiero denies doping charge, says he will appeal

NAIROBI, Kenya: Kenyan weightlifter David Obiero is planning to appeal a two-year doping ban.

Obiero was banned by the International Weightlifting Federation after testing positive for a banned substance in an out-of-competition test in June.

"I was shocked and surprised when I received the news," Obeiro told The Associated Press. "This is not how I intend to end my career ... but I am optimistic because I know I am innocent."

Obiero, 37, captained Kenya's weightlifting team at the All Africa games in Algeria this June, and has represented Kenya in four Commonwealth Games. He finished fifth in the 85-kilogram category at the All Africa Games.

"I have known strength enhancers such as anabolic steroids but never used them. Why should I use them now when I am about to announce my retirement?" he asked. "I have been in sport for too long and I understand the implications of failing a doping test."

Kenya coach Pius Ochieng said the news was "devastating."

"He has been consistent since 1991 and he knows the consequences of doping ... I don't know what happened," Ochieng said.

Obiero first represented Kenya in a major competition in 1994 during the Victoria Commonwealth Games. He was named team captain for the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games and 2003 All Africa Games in Abuja, and has been earmarked by the federation as a future coach of the national team.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Obiero set to appeal against WADA ruling
By James Waindi

Veteran weight lifter David Obiero has refuted reports that he tested positive for taxmoxifen, a prohibited substances in international sport and has vowed to appeal against the ruling.

Speaking to Sportfest on Friday, Obiero said he was surprised by the news and noted that it was tainting his name yet he wanted to end career on a high. He vowed to appeal against the dope test saying: "I believe I will win the case because I’m innocent."

Obiero said he had not even heard of the drug he was accused to have used and noted that it (taxmoxifen) was a drug for people with cancer and yet he has never suffered from the disease.

"I have been planning to end my long career on a high note this year and this issue is really tarnishing my name. I have never heard about the drug before but after seeing the reports I researched and realised that it is a cancer drug. How can I take a drug for cancer and I am not ailing from the disease," said Obiero who captained the national team to the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the 2003 All Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria.

"I want to appeal immediately and clear my name on this matter. As soon as I get enough finances I will travel to South Africa where my urine sample was tested and clear the air," he said.

The International Weightlifting Federation has banned Obiero 37, for two years after failing the drug test.

The Kenya Weightlifting Federation has also been fined Sh134,000 ($2,000), by the world body for the case. Obiero becomes the second local weightlifter to test positive for banned substance since Musa Gekone’s case in 1990 when he was tested positive for Cathine, commonly found in miraa. His suspension from all weightlifting activities is expected to run June 24, 2009.