Olympic champion Mutlu tests positive for banned drug
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-26 09:34

Turkish weightlifter Halil Mutlu, a three-time Olympic champion, tested positive for a banned substance in the European championships last month.

Halil Mutlu competes in the European weightlifting championship in April 2005. Mutlu -- a three-time Olympic champion -- tested positive for a banned substance in the championships last month. [AFP]

Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said he had been informed that a banned substance was discovered in a urine sample taken from Mutlu during the European weightlifting championships in Sofia between April 17-24, where the so-called "Little Dynamo" won three golds in the 62kg category.

"I don't know the details. I was informed by the sports directorate that there was also a B sample and that he (Mutlu) would demand that it be also examined," Sahin told journalists in Istanbul, Anatolia news agency reported.

The minister said he did not believe that the elite weightlifter took the performance-enhancing substance knowingly, adding that Mutlu had raised the possibility of someone having contaminated something he ate or drank.

The mass-circulation Hurriyet newspaper quoted an unnamed source close to Mutlu as saying: "Halil unfortunately tested positive for doping."

The source added: "He did not take the substance deliberately. However, he took pain-killers ahead of the championships because of an injury. The medications might have contained the banned substance."

The Turkish weightlifting federation declined to comment, while an official from the government's directorate of sports told AFP they were looking into the reports.

The Vatan daily identified the banned substane as Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid which boosts muscle growth and increases strength.

Close

Liverpool's Triumph Spurs rally past Suns 111-108 China beat S.Korea in Asian Baseball Championship

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
China, Uzbekistan sign $600m oil agreement         Tsang resigns to run in Hong Kong by-election         EU sets deadline on resolving textile dispute         FBI memo: Guantanamo guards flushing Koran         Boy hiding in gear compartment killed         Malaysians could face death for trafficking	Olympic champion Mutlu tests positive for banned drug       Liverpool win Champions League title       Shenzhen beat Suwon to reach quarterfinals       Olympic champ Liu loses rights litigation       Germans to step up World Cup security       Blair to attend IOC meeting on 2012 Games