Sprinter Brian Morrison of Canada and William Hinchcliff of New Zealand have been suspended for at least two years after testing positive for steroids, Athletics Canada said today.
Athletics Canada said Morrison and Hinchcliff, who lives and trains in Calgary, tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol. It's the same illegal substance for which Ben Johnson tested positive after he finished first in the 100-meter dash at the 1988 Olympics.Morrison, 22, said at a news conference in Calgary today that he had used a steroid-based cream to treat a hamstring injury.
He said this could end his track career, but added he won't give up.
"It has struck me that way also, but I came this far and to let it end on a note like this doesn't sit properly," Morrison said.
Morrison is a two-time Canadian junior champion and a member of Canada's 1988 Olympic team and 1990 Commonwealth Games team.
The positive drug tests were the first in Canada since Montreal hurdler Julie Rocheleau tested positive in May 1989.
Athletics Canada, formerly known as the Canadian Track and Field Association, said Morrison was tested May 20 at a competition camp for Canadian sprinters in Provo, Utah.
Morrison and Hinchcliff were "target tested" in Calgary on June 5.
"Analysis revealed the presence of the metabolites of the steroid stanozolol in the A sample," Athletics Canada said in a statement. "These were confirmed as positive tests by analysis of the B sample."
Urine samples usually are divided into two batches when tested for banned substances. A second test is conducted if the first shows positive.
"It is disappointing that some athletes continue to look for short cuts to athletic success, but it is clear that a few do," Athletics Canada president Paul Dupre said.
"Athletics Canada will continue to state and re-state its case - drug use in sport violates the underlying ethic of sport and will not be permitted."
The use of a banned performance-enhancing substance calls for a two-year suspension from international competition, under the rules of the International Amateur Athletic Federation.
Steroids enable athletes to improve their performance by reducing the time their bodies need to rest between workouts. The increased capacity allows them to build muscles faster.
Steroids can cause serious health problems - including liver cancer - and have been banned by the International Olympic Committee and most national sports federations.
Dupre said the suspensions will last at least two years from the date when the positive samples were given.
"A complete review of the circumstances surrounding the incident will be undertaken in cooperation with the Canadian Anti-doping Organization to determine why and how this situation arose," Dupre said.