Neil Griffin, the M55 thrower caught in a Kafka-esque doping suspension, hasn’t spoken publicly yet. But a “statement on his behalf” has been sent to Athletics Weekly, the world’s premier track and field magazine. Editor Jason Henderson published the statement and writes on his blog: “The suspension of British M55 thrower Neil Griffin will be of huge concern to fellow veteran athletes who take drugs for medical reasons.” Much of the statement mirrors what Chris Melluish reported on Oct. 26, but it officially confirms the argument that Neil jumped through all the hoops possible — but was let down by IAAF and WMA doping officials. They simply lost his TUE paperwork.

More chilling is this contention:
“The fact that he seems to have no ‘right of appeal’ against this sanction and that he is still unclear as to which of the governing bodies to which he is affiliated has jurisdiction over his rights as a competing athlete is of great concern to Mr Griffin, and so should be of all other Masters Athletes.”
Here is Jason’s post in full:
Vet thrower given unfair ban?
2nd November 2006
BY JASON HENDERSON
British M55 athlete Neil Griffin has been suspended for two years for taking drugs to treat diabetes
THE suspension of British M55 thrower Neil Griffin will be of huge concern to fellow veteran athletes who take drugs for medical reasons.
As reported in the current issue of AW, Griffin has been given a two-year ban by the World Masters’ Athletics governing body.
But the Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow AC athlete maintains he filled out a TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) form which is used to declare that performance-enhancing substances have been prescribed by a doctor.
The thrower – who is one of Britain’s top veteran athletes – is a diabetic with low testosterone levels.
Griffin’s only crime, he believes, is that he chose to compete at international championships without hearing that his TUE forms were safely in the hands of the right people.
And even the panel that has withheld Griffin’s suspension declared that he did not deliberately cheat.
Griffin’s case is explained in more detail in this statement released by his support team. For additional information, plus a reaction from the WMA president, Athletics Weekly’s readers are recommended to look at Ken Stone’s excellent masterstrack.com website.
A statement on behalf of Neil Griffin, M55 masters athlete:
Pursuant to a hearing on September 26, 2006 in Munich, Germany, conducted by an independent Arbitration Panel with representatives of both parties present, the Panel decided: 1. Mr. Griffin committed an anti-doping rule violation according to IAAF Rule 32.2(a). 2. Mr. Griffin is ineligible to compete for two years as of June 9, 2006 (the date of the provisional suspension) until June 8, 2008. 3. Each party bears its own costs.
Neil is a diabetic with a below normal testosterone level. He is on regular testosterone injections to keep his level within the normal range. His doctors (as well as Doctors that UK Sport utilise for the processing of TUE forms) tell him this is essential medication for his health and that there is no known alternative medication for his condition.
He has submitted two TUEs (Therapeutic Use Exemption) for testosterone to WMA, one in January 2005 and one in March 2006, supplying supporting medical evidence. According to WMA they pass these TUEs on to IAAF as they have no process themselves. The IAAF (who don’t recognise Neil, or any other Masters athlete as an athlete) never replied so the exemption has never been granted (or rejected).
Neil competed in the WMA Championships in San Sebastian in August 2005 where he was targeted for drug testing. Testosterone was found and Neil was officially informed that he had failed the test in February 2006.
Neil had already entered for the WMA indoor championships in Linz in March 2006, and booked flights and accommodation, so asked WMA if he could compete, and was told ‘yes’. He submitted another TUE before the Championships.
Again Neil was targeted for testing with the same result. After much correspondence, during which the “San Sebastian” case was dropped due to lack of correct procedures by WMA, a hearing was held (as described above).
The findings of from the hearing included:
‘It is not within the realm of the Panel to decide upon the soundness of Mr Griffin’s TUE applications for testosterone submitted in January 2005 and March 2006 and, hence, the Panel did not weigh the medical evidence produced in support of the applications.’
‘The Panel further recognizes that Mr. Griffin did not cheat. He declared openly that he takes testosterone and other medication in the exchange of letters prior to the Linz Championships.’
The fact that he seems to have no “right of appeal” against this sanction and that he is still unclear as to which of the governing bodies to which he is affiliated has jurisdiction over his rights as a competing athlete is of great concern to Mr Griffin, and so should be of all other Masters Athletes.