Heptathlon silver-medallist Blonska fails drug test

[Pogo Stick]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/20/olympics2008.olympicsathletics6?gusrc=rss&feed=sport

Olympics: Heptathlon silver-medallist Blonska fails drug test
• Silver-medallist could be stripped of prize if found guilty by IOC
• Sotherton has been outspoken critic of Ukrainian rival

* Michael Phillips in Beijing
* guardian.co.uk,
* Wednesday August 20 2008 11:50 BST
* Article history

Lyudmila Blonska, the Olympic heptathlon silver medallist who has sparked the fury of Britain's Kelly Sotherton, has failed a drugs test here at the Games and is now facing a lifetime ban from the sport. Sotherton has been furious that the Ukrainian was allowed to return to athletics in 2006 following a two-year suspension for a doping offence.

But after finishing second here on Saturday night, a test conducted at 2am on Sunday has shown traces of the anabolic steroid Methytestosterone. Blonska is still waiting for the results of the B Sample. If that matches, she will be suspended for life for this second offence.

Lamine Diack, the President of the International Association of Athletics Federations, heard the news this evening when he was heading across to the Bird's Nest Stadium.

Diack said: "The procedure is running. The B sample will no doubt be opened today and tomorrow there will be a hearing."

Blonska, the World Indoor pentathlon champion, beat Sotherton into silver at last year's outdoor World Championships in Osaka.

When she finished second here, Sotherton, who was fifth, said: "I'm not happy that she competed again. We have rules in our country that we abide by, we don't bring anybody who cheated previously so why should any other country? That needs to change, but I am pleased that her teammate beat her."

[rainbowgirl28]

Oh that's big news... that could bump Hyleas up to the silver.

[decanuck]

Wow. Looks like she's following the Ben Johnson formula for success in sport--If, at first, you don't succeed, make the same mistake again and again...

[KLocke]

I think both(gold and silver medalist) Ukrainian athletes train together. Perhaps, Hyleas will have different color medal everyday until it becomes gold. Wait and see.....

[KirkB]

Wow. Looks like she's following the Ben Johnson formula for success in sport--If, at first, you don't succeed, make the same mistake again and again...

The Ben Johnson Story never dies, does it?

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080815.wspt-benjohnson-lawsuit-15/GSStory/GlobeSportsOther/home

Ben Johnson sues former lawyer

Lowlights:

Disgraced Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson plans to sue his former lawyer's estate for $37 million, alleging that Edward Futerman took advantage of his "diminished mental capacities" in "an arrogant, high-handed and negligent conduct."

...

According to the claim, the retainer — that Johnson was unable to understand and hurried into signing — granted the lawyer "absolute and improper" control over Johnson's career and finances.

...

Futerman died in February 2008 but the case has since been ordered to proceed with his estate as the defendants.

A psychiatric evaluation of Johnson included in the court file describes him as "as dependent on adult direction and advice as the average six- or seven-year old." ...

But Judge! Charlie made me do it! And I didn't think that I would get caught the second time! And it's Futerman's fault! And I don't know right from wrong! And ...

Good luck in calling Futerman to the witness box.