WEDNESDAY, 12.00AM:
MARATHON runner Desmond Witbooi was banned for four years on Tuesday after he tested positive for steroids in the SA Marathon championships in February.
Athletics SA held a tribunal on the findings, and announced the four-year ban as effective from February 23. Witbooi said the drugs he took were prescribed by his doctor, and he was not aware of their steroid nature. The ASA said they have sympathy for Witbooi, and “believe he was the victim of ignorance,” but are obliged to impose the ban to prevent similar incidents from happening in future.
Witbooi’s sentence will be reviewed by an International Athletics body next month, and may be shortened to two years. “I don’t think it will be possible to come back after four years. That is simply too long to be out,” Witbooi said.