NZ track sprinter banned for attempted drug use

New Zealand track sprinter Adam Stewart has been suspended from competition for two years after attempting to use banned blood booster erythropoietin (EPO) and for the possession of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).

Although Stewart's ban isn't a result of a failed doping test, he admits importing EPO and hCG. New Zealand customs officials intercepted a package intended for Stewart containing banned substances in May. Stewart says that although he ordered them, he has never taken any prohibited substances.

New Zealand's Sports Tribunal handed Stewart a two-year ban on Thursday (September 9).  

Stewart was in training for the 2010 Commonwealth Games when New Zealand's cycling federation, BikeNZ, confronted him about possession of banned substances. He subsequently agreed to leave the team and Bike NZ must now find a replacement for him on the squad with less than a month before the Games start. 

Stewart was part of New Zealand's team sprint squad that placed fourth in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games take place in Delhi, India, from October 3-14.

Related links

Julia Shaw added to England's Commonwealth Games squad