10/03/2004

Rusedski cleared of doping charges

Greg Rusedski, Britain's Number Two ranked tennis player, has been cleared today after he tested positive for a banned substance last year.

Clearing Mr Rusedski, the Association of Tennis Players (ATP) tribunal found that the player "was not guilty of a doping offence".

Rusedski, ranked 119 in the world, was found to have traces of nandrolone in a sample which is thought to have been taken at an event in Indianapolis last July.

The player protested his innocence from the start, claimed that any aberration in his sample was due to food supplements given to him by ATP trainers. When the story broke in January, he told reporters: "I do not take, and never have taken, performance-enhancing drugs."

The charge faced by Mr Rusedski was serious, and could have led to a two-year ban. For the 30-year-old Canadian-born player, such a ban could have ended his 13-year professional career.

Welcoming the ruling, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) said that it was "pleased" Rusedski had been exonerated and that this "period of uncertainty" was now behind him.

David Felgate, the LTA's Director of Performance, said: "We are delighted for Greg on a personal level and glad that he finally has a verdict. We all look forward to Greg resuming his tennis career as soon as possible."

The LTA said that it had already started a review into the advice given to all its players regarding the use of supplements.

Greg Rusedski had been charged with taking with nandrolone – a performance-enhancing drug that has been used by competitors in a range of physically demanding sports. Nandrolone, when administered in sufficient quantities, helps the body to rebuild muscles and assist recovery after training. However, nandrolone is found naturally in the body and levels can increase by eating certain meats, particularly pork.

Montreal-born Rusedski, who in 1997 became the first Briton to be ranked in the ATP top 10, has missed most of this season's tour due to a series of injuries to his foot, knee and back.

(gmcg)

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