Doping scandal rocks Seychelles weightlifting |14 November 2015

Seychelles’ weightlifting is at the centre of a doping scandal, whereby one of its most successful athletes of the year has tested positive for a banned performance enhancing drug.

The weightlifter in question, Ruby Malvina, has had an amazing year, where she claimed three gold medals at the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) in August, two gold and one silver medals at the All-Africa Games in September and a gold medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in October. She was to represent Seychelles at the forthcoming world championships.

On November 6, 2015 it was written on the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) website: “The IWF reports that sample of Ms Juliette Ruby Rita Malvina (SEY) has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for (S1.1 Anabolic Agents) stanozolol. As a consequence, the athlete is provisionally suspended in view of a potential anti-doping rule violation.”

The same website also published on the same date, the names of two other Indian athletes who also tested positive for the same substance.

Stanozolol, commonly sold under the name Winstrol (oral) and Winstrol Depot (intramuscular), is a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone. It was developed by Winthrop Laboratories (Sterling Drug) in 1962, and has been approved by the FDA for human use.

It is one of the anabolic steroids commonly used as performance-enhancing drugs and is banned from use in sports competition under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and many other sporting bodies.

In a press conference held yesterday at the Freedom Square gym, Seychelles Weightlifting Association (SWA) chairman Robert Rose confirmed that they have received a letter from the IWF informing them of the result, which he confirmed was taken at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship held in Pune, India last month.

“We have already sent a letter back to the IWF in defence of the athlete and we expect a result probably by next week. However, as per regulation, Ruby is provisionally banned from any weightlifting activities until the investigation is concluded,” said Mr Rose.

He added that the athlete has the option to ask for her “B-sample” to be analysed although it costs quite a lot as she will need to head to the laboratory in Cologne, Germany, for the analysis.
If the B-Sample does not confirm the result of the A-sample then the entire test is considered as negative and the notice of charge withdrawn. No further action will be taken against the athlete.

If the B-sample analysis confirms the adverse analytical finding in respect of the A-sample, then the athlete can either accept the finding and consequences specified in the notice of charge or request that the matter proceed to a hearing.

Mr Rose also stated that Malvina had a test done locally and the sample has been sent to South Africa before she left for the Commonwealth Championship, but the result has not been received yet.
 
It has also been confirmed that should the result be conclusive then Malvina will be stripped of her Commonwealth Championship gold medal.

This is the third time such a case is reported in Seychelles weightlifting. Charles Simeon was banned for two years in 2009 when he failed a doping test in Kenya at the African Championships, a competition where he was recognised as the best junior lifter. Brenda Lozaique is the other athlete banned for two years for using performance enhancing drugs at the Olympic qualifiers in South Africa in 2011.

“Of course this affects the image of weightlifting in Seychelles as it is not the first time it has happened and we were looking forward to the 2016 season as this year was a successful one for us,” added Mr Rose.

The chairman also stated that the athlete has the full support of the federation and has urged for more education to be given to athletes as they need to know what to eat and drink as high level athletes to avoid such incidents in the future.

He added: “In such situations, the coaches can also be sanctioned and this will no doubt affect our local coaches.”

This happened as recently as April of this year, where coaches of the 23 Indian weightlifters who tested positive at various competitions were given two-year bans.
Malvina had a great year and was being touted as the potential winner of the Sportswoman of the Year award by many, but this incident will no doubt blow away her chances of claiming the title.

S. N.