German or not German? The doping plot thickens
A couple days ago, WMA Prez Cesare Beccalli replied to my query about a drug positive test at the San Sebastian world championships — and said the offending athlete is German. Now I get a note from a German source who says Dieter Massin, head of the European Veterans Athletic Association, insists the athlete in question is NOT German. Ohhhh-kay! Meanwhile, a British masters official — Winston Thomas — told me he couldn’t divulge the athlete’s ID but could reveal that the “illegal” substance in question was a medication (and not a traditional performance-enhancer.)
So I’ve written (again) to Stan Perkins in Australia, who’s in charge of doping issues for World Masters Athletics. I may have to wait for an answer, though, since Stan is helping officiate the track competition at the Oceania Masters Games in Christchurch, New Zealand. The event continues through Jan. 21.
As usual, stay tuned.