Four more Paralympic doping violations

September 26, 2004

The International Paralympic Committee has announced four new doping violations today, involving three medallists, bringing the total of confirmed doping violations at the games to seven.

A blind Slovakian cyclist Vladislav Janovjak, will lose his silver medal after his pilot, Juraj Petrovic, tested positive for the glucocorticosteroid, methylprednisolone.  The substance is in a category that warrants the medal to be taken away, but no further suspension or penalty.

Three powerlifters also have failed drug tests, Youssef Cheikh Younes of Syria, for nandrolone and stanozolol, and Ali Hosseini of Iran tested positive for methandienone

Both lost bronze medals and will be suspended for two years, until September 22, 2006.

A third powerlifter Aleksandr Koroljov of Estonia will also be banned for two years for using the diuretic furosemide.

Were the West Asian Games canceled?

April 9, 2003

Very little news has been made available regarding the status of the West Asian Games which were to be held in Damascus, Syria, April 7-17.

The Syrian Olympic Committee reportedly sent out invitations to the Olympic Committees of West Asian nations, inviting them to a meeting to be held Feb. 19-20. The main item on the agenda was to discuss the possibility of postponing the games.

Given the lack of information, and the recent instability in the area, we're assuming the games have been postponed for now.