Bodybuilding: Provisional Sanctions Imposed
President of the Bermuda Bodybuilding Federation Candy-Lee Foggo announced that changes had to made to the Bermuda Team due to represent the island at the upcoming regional championships due to provisional sanctions imposed by the Bermuda Sport Anti Doping Authority for anti-doping violations.
The offending substances although, deemed banned substances under the WADA code, were not steroids or illegal drugs; one has been identified as the fat burner Oxy Elite Pro and the other is a diuretic.
On August 20th the BBF held their Night of Champions bodybuilding show at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium, with class winners expected to take part in the 39th Annual Central American and Caribbean Championships.
Ms Foggo’s full statement follows below:
“The Bermuda Bodybuilding Federation regrettably has had to make changes to the team initially selected to represent Bermuda at the 39th Annual Central American and Caribbean Championships which will be held in San Salvador on the 23-24 September 2011 due to provisional sanctions imposed by the Bermuda Sport Anti Doping Authority (BSADA) for anti doping violations.
The IFBB have also confirmed that these athletes are unable to compete due to these sanctions. The affected athletes plan to appeal the sanctions in accordance with the provisions of the BSADA policy and World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) code.
The Bermuda Bodybuilding Federation wishes to make clear that the offending substances although, deemed banned substances under the WADA code, were not anabolic steroids nor are they illicit substances. The sanctions do however mean that the offending athletes will be unable to compete until the matter is resolved.
One product containing the banned stimulant has been identified as Oxy Elite Pro which is marketed as a fat burner. The source of the other banned substance, a diuretic is yet to be identified.
Although athletes are responsible for conducting their own due diligence regarding supplementation sometimes inconsistencies exist between the supplement labels and the banned substance list provided by WADA.
As the new President of the Bermuda Bodybuilding Federation I do not condone the use of banned substances, however in these cases I do not believe that the athletes knowingly consumed a banned substance and risk jeopardizing not only their eligibility to compete but more importantly their reputations.
The Bermuda Bodybuilding Federation will support these athletes as they seek a hearing with BSADA as part of the appeal process seeking complete elimination of the period of ineligibility.
The Bermuda Bodybuilding Federation recognizes that this sort of violation may further taint the sport as well as possibly deter future athletes from competing as it appears that supplements that are readily available and consumed by bodybuilders and the public at large will unknowingly produce a positive urine sample under the WADA rules.
This incident although unfortunate highlights the importance of keeping abreast of the prohibited substance list and the ingredients contained in the supplements being used.
Persons wishing to compete in all sports at the domestic and international level must be ever mindful of what they are consuming and keep current with the prohibited substance list published by WADA which is updated annually.
