Australian track star Peter Bol has pledged to clear his name after his shock positive drug test rocked the athletics world on Friday.
Bol is accused of failing an out-of-competition drug test back in October and is now waiting the result of a secondary B sample taken.
According to Athletics Australia, Bol’s positive test for a performance enhancing drug is “both extremely concerning and completely out of the blue”.
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In a statement, Bol strongly maintained his innocence and pledged to fight the allegations.
“It is critically important to convey with the strongest conviction that I am innocent and have not taken this substance as I am accused. I ask that everyone in Australia believe me and let the process play out,” he wrote.
“When I found out last week that the A sample from a urine test taken on 11 October had tested positive for synthetic EPO, I was in total shock.
“To be clear, I have NEVER in my life purchased, researched, possessed, administered, or used synthetic EPO or any other prohibited substance.
“I voluntarily turned over my laptop, iPad and phone to Sport Integrity Australia to prove this.
“I have requested the analysis of my B sample which will take place in February. Given the subjective nature of interpreting this kind of test, I have asked that the lab perform a secondary confirmation.
“Above all, I remain hopeful that the process will exonerate me.
“My career, hopes and dreams are literally hanging in the balance over these next few weeks, and I ask everyone to respect my privacy as I remain provisionally suspended.”
It’s a shock allegation against Australia’s Olympic hero who won the hearts of the nation with his incredible 800m run in Tokyo.
As a result of the positive test, the 28-year-old has now been provisionally suspended, and unable to train, compete, coach or receive any funding from the sport.
It’s believed Bol’s Melbourne-based coach Justin Rinaldi and agent James Templeton have also offered to hand in their phones and laptops in the hopes of clearing the track star’s name.
It’s a shock allegation against the 800m national record holder, who was up for the Young Australian of the Year title to be announced later this week.
“What we can say is that learning about this adverse analytical finding was both extremely concerning and completely out of the blue, and we will support Sport Integrity Australia who are leading the investigation into the matter,” Athletics Australia CEO Peter Bromley said.
“As a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code and the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy, Athletics Australia condemns doping in sport, and we work hard to ensure athletics in Australia is a clean and fair sport for all athletes, including providing anti-doping education in partnership with Sport Integrity Australia.
“We fully support the highly effective testing protocols that exist to ensure that anyone who breaches the anti-doping policy is caught and appropriately sanctioned.
“Every athlete, coach and spectator wants and deserves a level playing field.
“We appreciate the efforts of Sport Integrity Australia to conduct an extensive regime of testing during and out of competition to ensure our sport is fair and equitable at all times.
“Our primary consideration right now is that the appropriate process is followed and that it is not undermined by inappropriate speculation.
“The welfare of our athletes remains critical through this process, and we will continue to do all that is appropriate to ensure both Peter and other athletes, coaches and support staff are provided with the necessary support.”
