GAPF disciplines Gumendra Shewdas for doping violation

Feb 18, 2014 Sports

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– Personal Coach Egbert Jackson also penalized

The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation wishes to inform the General Public that it has concluded its investigations into the matter concerning the confirmed Anti-doping violation and suspension of its Sub junior lifter at the World Sub junior/Junior Powerlifting Championships in Killeen Texas by the Governing Body for Powerlifting the IPF, the organisation stated in a release.
The release further informs:
The Federation concurs with the report of the IPF Anti-doping hearing Panel comprising Mr. James F. Cirincione (Chair) – USA, Ms. Janie Soubliere LLM, LLB – CANADA and Dr. Hugo Velasquez – COSTA RICA.
As a result recommendations were therefore forwarded to the Disciplinary Panel for deliberations and the imposition of penalties (if any).
The Panel considered the following arguments by the lifter and his support personnel (his mother, his grandfather and his coach) 1. Athlete had taken tablets for a cold; 2. The source of the tablets was his grandfather; 3. The main ingredient in the tablet was geranium 20; The athlete was unaware that he was ingesting a prohibited substance as he listened/and trusted his grandfather whom he grew up with all his life.
The findings by the Governing body’s doping hearing panel were very clear as were the rules governing the WADA Body to which the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation and its governing body are signatories:
1. Prior to the taking of samples the athlete was given the standard doping sample form to be filled in which required him to state
a. The sample number – 2778838
b. Amount of sample (90ml) which was then poured in his presence into two tamper proof bottles and labelled sample 1 and Sample 2 containing 35ml and 55 ml respectively.
c. Questioned as to whether he had been administered/taken any medicine within the last 48 hours to which his written response was NONE.
d. The bottle was then sealed in his presence and he was given a copy of the signed declaration form.
2. An Adverse analytical finding was found in the case of the sample referred to as Sample 1 of 2778838.
3. The sample number listed in the form and that as listed above by the WADA Accredited lab are one and the same.
4. The IPF / WADA ruling has identified the following articles to justify the suspension
a. Article 2.1, 2.1.1 and 2.1.2, 10.4 and 12.2.
The question of whether he knowingly or unknowingly ingested the prohibited substances listed as methylhexaneamine and Oxylofrine is NOT debatable. Whereas an explanation may have been proffered for the first, none was done for the latter. Neither did the lifter mention this on his anti-doping form.
No concrete evidence has been produced by anyone to date as to proof of deliberate actions. His grandfather has claimed responsibility for the administration of the medicine. The Federation wishes to point out clearly that article 2.1.1 states
It is each athlete’s personal duty to ensure that no prohibited substance enters his /her body.
It is not necessary that intent, fault, negligence or knowing use on the athlete’s part be demonstrated in order to establish an anti-doping violation under article 2.1.
As an affiliate of the IPF and signatory to the WADA Code, the federation has accordingly
1. Imposed a corresponding suspension and period of ineligibility of the lifter to participate in any meet locally or internationally whether as a lifter or referee for a period of two years commencing from October 21st 2013 to October 22nd 2015.
2. Imposed a fine of 2,000 euros on behalf of the Governing body the IPF. Failure to repay the fine will see the lifter having his suspension prolonged until repayment has been effected.
Additionally, the Disciplinary Panel has deliberated on charges made against the Owner/Trainer of Total Fitness Gym Mr. Egbert Jackson for conduct unbecoming in the utterances of wild and unsubstantiated allegations in the media and Public with respect to the integrity of the IPF, WADA and the Federation. These allegations have been well documented publicly by the media.
The Federation wishes to point out that Mr. Jackson, as a member of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation through his Club Total Fitness Gym Corriverton has committed a breach of the rules of the governing body the IPF under article 14.13 – “Bringing the sport into disrepute by means of his comments, Published articles, TV or radio broadcasts”.
Mr. Jackson has been found guilty and his defence waived by virtue of recorded Public interviews/broadcasts that have been considered as damaging to the integrity of the IPF, WADA and the Federation.
Accordingly the disciplinary Panel has
1. Imposed a suspension of 12 months for violation of Article 14.13 with reference to the IPF effective February 1st 2014.
2. Imposed a suspension of 12 months for violation of Article 14.13 with reference to the WADA effective February 1st 2014.
This suspension precludes Mr. Jackson and/or members of his gym from participating in any IPF/GAPLF competitions locally or internationally whether as a lifter, referee or coach. The suspension is effective from February 1st 2014 and ends of February 2nd 2015.
The Federation wishes to point out that Powerlifting has had over 8 of its lifters tested repeatedly over the years since 2008 at the world level and none has been found positive prior to this anti-doping violation. Lifters to represent the Country outstandingly at the World level include
1. Winston Frank Stoby – World Masters Champion 74kg class
2. John Arlington Edwards – World Masters Bronze Medalist 120kg class
3. Randolph Reginald Morgan – World Open Dead lift Gold Medalist 83kg class.
It considers the matter now closed and hopes all wild speculations, unsavory name calling, and falsely created perceptions through the use of innuendo from a certain journalist amongst others is brought to an end.

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