Bulgarian Federation Refuses to Ban Athletes

Sports | July 18, 2007, Wednesday // 00:00

Bulgaria's athletics federation BFLA decided on Wednesday not to impose sanctions on two athletes, who have tested borderline positive for testosterone.

The world's athletics ruling body IAAF has already suspended middle-distance runner Venelina Veneva and high-jump specialist Vanya Stambolova over the test results.

Both the A and B samples, taken in January, tested positive for testosterone and related substances.

The hormone is naturally found in the human body and is one of the most often doping substances, since it is easy to obtain, serving to build muscle mass, enhances speed and aids recovery from injury.

"The two athletes have not attempted to cover anything up and turned in their doping tests as scheduled," BFLA chairman Dobri Karamarinov said.

"When we got the positive results in March 23, we asked for the second sample to be tested. The results were very borderline, but we decided to impose sanctions," he added.

"However, the athletes' lawyers have asked for a detailed analysis, which is within their rights and which IAAF agreed to, only to change their mind later."

This is why BFLA has decided not to impose any sanction. We are not acting as their lawyers, we just want to find out the truth," said Karamarinov.

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