Korda loses points after testing positive

SYDNEY, DEC 23: Australian Open tennis champion Petr Korda declared he was not a drugs cheat'' after being sanctioned for testing posit...

SYDNEY, DEC 23: Australian Open tennis champion Petr Korda declared he was 8220;not a drugs cheat8221; after being sanctioned for testing positive to a banned steroid at this year8217;s Wimbledon Championships.

The 30-year-old Czech was stripped of the 199 rankings points and 94,529 prize money he earned by reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon this year.

Korda8217;s argument that he did not know how the steroid Nandrolone got into his system was accepted by the International Tennis Federation ITF, which made the matter public today following the end of an appeal process.

The ITF8217;s appeals committee, sitting on December 22 in London, ruled that as Korda was unaware he had taken or been administered the banned substance, no further penalty would be imposed. Korda said in a statement that he was pleased with the appeals committee8217;s finding.

8220;I wish to state categorically that I am not a drugs cheat and would never seek to obtain a competitive advantage over my fellow professionals by such means,8221; Korda said.8220;I am delighted that the committee has vindicated me.8221;

The appeals committee heard evidence from Korda, his representatives and the federation before making its ruling.

In his statement, Korda said he had been informed by the federation on August 1 that he had tested positive to Nandrolone and was issued with a notice of violation in October. He then lodged an appeal.

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Korda said he and his advisers had made exhaustive, but unsuccessful, attempts to find the source of the illegal substance.

8220;This allegation came as a tremendous shock and caused considerable distress to me and my family,8221; said Korda.

8220;From a professional standpoint my performances since August suffered, as my recent results have shown. Whilst I am in the final stages of my career I still love the game. I am delighted that the committee has cleared my name and that I am free to carry on playing and competing.8221;

Under ITF rules, Korda was found to have committed a doping offence, even though the Federation was satisfied he hadnot taken the banned substance intentionally.

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Therefore, it was compelled to deduct the rankings points earned by Korda at Wimbledon and require him to return his prize money.

Korda broke through for his first Grand Slam title in February when he beat Marcelo Rios in the final of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

A spokeswoman for the event said today that Korda had passed a drugs test at that tournament.

8220;Petr Korda, the defending champion, was tested after he won the 1998 Australian Open men8217;s final and the result was negative,8221; she said in a statement.

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The statement said players are randomly tested throughout the tournament, then all players involved in the singles from the quarter-finals onwards are tested.

Nandrolone boosts muscle development and reduces fatigue. A Kuwaiti weightlifter tested positive to the steroid at this month8217;s Asian Games while Sri Lankan star sprinter Susantika Jayasinghe is under investigation by the IAAF after testing positive to the drug this year. Jayasinghe saidshe used the drug to control her menstrual cycle.

French studies showed 28 of that country8217;s athletes across several sports tested positive to Nandrolone in 1996.