Wgt: Five lifters banned for drugs, Games braces for more = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2004
Wgt: Five lifters banned for drugs, Games braces for more = 2

Turkish weightlifter Sule Sahbaz later denied taking drugs to enhance her performance,
according to the head of Turkey's weightlifting federation.

"She is having a nervous breakdown. She says 'I am not that stupid to bring shame to
my country in a big event like this. I did not take such a drug'," Kenan Nuhut told the
Anatolia news agency in the Greek capital.

World Championship bronze medallist Sahbaz was among the five weightlifters who the
IOC said have tested positive for banned substances since teams of drug-busters started
work on July 30.

The 26-year-old Sahbaz, who also won silver at the 2004 European championships, will
miss the 75kg division on Friday.

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said Turkish officials would also launch
an investigation into whether Sahbaz used banned substances, but he nonetheless suggested
she had proven herself irresponsible.

"This is, of course, an irresponsible act. It is like cheating in an exam," Sahin,
who is accompanying the Turkish team at the Games, told the NTV news channel.

AFP mo

KEYWORD: OLY WGT DRUGS 3RD N/L 2 ATHENS (RE-OPENS)

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