Athletics South Africa (ASA) announced on Wednesday that Boland athlete, Elana Meyer, was found to have exceeded the reportable limit of the banned stimulant Caffeine, in a sample provided at a 10km race in Bali, Malaysia on February 2 2003.
The sample was analysed in an International Olympic Committee (IOC) accredited laboratory in Kuala Lumpur. The resultant analysis fitted the International Athletic Association Federation’s (IAAF) reportable limit, leading to Meyer being suspended from all athletics activities pending the result of further tests and subsequent hearings.
Meyer’s request that the B-sample be analysed at a laboratory more accessible to her has been forwarded to the IAAF for a decision.
Furthermore, she has asked that a hearing be held as soon as possible after the testing of the B-sample.
On hearing the news Meyer said, ”I have never used any form of prohibited substance in my career and deny in the strongest possible terms that I have in any way breached the rules of the great sport of Athletics. I have been running for 25 years and have been tested over 200 times in my career, both at competitions and out of competition.”
”I have no way of knowing how this caffeine count could have happened. Caffeine is such a common ingredient, that although I, as a professional athlete, am always aware of trying to cut it out of my diet, it is impossible to guarantee it.”
Meyer added that she had had a cup of hotel coffee on the morning of the event.
The limit for caffeine content is 12mg/ml; Meyer’s sample was found to contain 15mg/ml.
Elana Meyer has been South Africa’s most successful women’s athlete ever and currently holds the World Record for the Half Marathon and the 15Km, having previously held the World’s Best Time for the 5km. In 2002 she was voted one of South Africa’s Women of the Year.
She has been a vocal campaigner for the fight against drugs in sport. Together with athletes such as Paula Ratcliffe and Sonia O’Sullivan, Meyer has formed a strong voice for more ardent testing in Athletics and Road Running.
”The sport of Athletics has given me wonderful opportunities to compete around the world, represent my country and make wonderful friends. I will co-operate fully with ASA and the IAAF [International Athletic Association Federation] to resolve this matter, but will also not hesitate in anyway to protect my reputation and integrity.”
”In this regard there are so many questions that the experts need to answer that I will reserve my further comment until I have received more information”, she said from her home in Stellenbosch.
Dr Ryan Kohler, a sports physician attached to the Sports Science Institute in Cape Town, is assisting Meyer with the matter. – Sapa