Slovenian track and field star Jolanda Ceplak denied for STA on Thursday the use of banned substances, announcing she would fight to prove her innocence. Testing positive for the blood booster erythropoietine (EPO), Ceplak has already been temporarily suspended by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The news that the world indoor 800 metres record-holder had tested positive for EPO in an out-of-competition test carried out a few weeks ago at her residence in Monaco was broken today by French sports daily L'Equipe. The daily reported that both samples, A and B, were positive.
"I deny taking any kind of banned substances and will use all means available to try to prove my innocence. As regards the notification procedures, it is very telling that I found out about my temporary ban only after checking the IAAF web page this afternoon," the bronze medalist from the 2004 Olympics in Athens said.
Earlier today Ceplak said she had not yet received any formal notification of her case and that she was sticking to her competition schedule. The Slovenian Track and Field Association confirmed on Thursday afternoon it had received official confirmation of Ceplak's positive tests earlier in the day. The IAAF sent the report to the chair of the Anti-Doping Commission at the Slovenian Association. The IAAF cable to the Association said that Ceplak had been temporarily suspended on 25 July for a positive test to EPO. "The out-of-competition test (...) was carried out in Monaco on 18 June."
The Slovenian Association must now hold a disciplinary hearing. The Association said the IAAF was not willing to make further comments until the hearing had been conducted. Ceplak is facing a two-year ban, which means she could miss the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Another Slovenian athlete, long distance runner Helena Javornik, was accused of using EPO last year, but was later cleared of the charges.
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