CAIRO: The Egyptian Weightlifting Federation has ratified the decision of the International Weightlifting Federation to suspend weightlifters Gaber Farhan and Amir Mahmoud for two years following results of a recent doping test indicating the consumption of prohibited medication. An internal inquiry that took place last week, in accordance with the notification of the National Sports Council, has revealed the weightlifters' full responsibility behind testing positive in a doping test carried out last month, Mohamed Mahmoud, the president of the Egyptian Weightlifting Federation told The Daily Star Egypt following a board of directors meeting late Monday. Mahmoud added that the two admitted during the inquiry that they consumed two types of medication which are included on the list of prohibited medication issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency, Mahmoud said. Dr Mohamed Saeed Hefnawy, the dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and the federation s consultant of food supplements, said on Dream TV on Tuesday that the two weightlifters consumed prohibited medication without prior approval. Stanzerol and andersteen are strictly prohibited because they include unnatural growth hormones. Amr Ramadan, the technical director of the Egyptian weightlifting team said that he was astonished by the results of the doping tests, as in late February the two weightlifters underwent similar tests (alongside 29 others) which came back negative. However the most recent doping test, done last month, had an unexpected outcome. As both weightlifters compete in the same category, 85 kg, it might be very possible that they resorted to consumption of prohibited medication in order to enhance their performance and lift heavier weights so they could represent Egypt in the upcoming All-Africa Games in Algeria next July, Ramadan said. Furthermore, Fathy Zurieq, the treasurer of the federation emphasized on Dream TV on Tuesday that the weightlifters irresponsible attitude led to this outcome. They breached the rules of the federation which stipulate that any player must have the consent of the consultant of food supplements as well as the technical director before consuming any sort of medication, which is why he believes that they deserve the two-year suspension. Sources close to the federation noted that the two weightlifters did not use their right to appeal the two-year suspension by refusing to undergo another doping test. The World Anti-Doping Agency permits this practice, on the condition that it is within one month of the announcement of the first doping test results. Mohamed Kamal Omar, general director of the federation, pointed out that all weightlifters in Egypt's national team will undergo a doping test in the coming week. These tests aim to establish the weightlifters adherence to non-consumption of the latest list of prohibited medication. If two more members test positive, the Egyptian federation will be disqualified from the Summer Olympics next year in Beijing and will pay a huge fine.
