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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Scandal, brawl mar games


Italy's Federica Pellegrini reacts after winning the women's 200-meter freestyle in record time. Associated Press
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Dennis Passa Associated Press

BANGKOK, Thailand – The World University Games were rocked Tuesday by a doping scandal and the aftermath of an ugly soccer brawl between Thailand and Mexico.

Six days into the competition, the Games joined other recent international multisports competitions that have been hit by positive doping tests, including the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar last year, the Winter Olympics in Turin and the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.

The head of the doping commission at the University Games told the Associated Press on Tuesday that there have been positive drug tests, but would not say how many athletes or identify them.

“We can’t provide details at this point but there have been some positive tests,” Dr. Lawrence Rink, chairman of the FISU Medical Commission, said. “The details would remain private until the appeal process is over. With every case that is positive, we also keep WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) informed.”

In the soccer match, four players were eventually red-carded for their actions. Thailand won that game 1-0 Monday to qualify for the semifinals. On Tuesday, Games officials and the International University Sports Federation (FISU) considered whether sanctions would be taken against both teams, and Thailand team officials later apologized for the melee, which also involved spectators.

As for the doping, American-born Rink said the penalties for the positive tests could vary.

“In case of a first offense, the penalty could vary from a warning to a two-year suspension,” Rink said.

“For instance, if an athlete bought a decongesting medicine at a drug store for a cold two days before he was tested positive, it may be an inadvertent use and the penalty would be milder than a case with use of steroid,” he explained. “Of course, if the person has been tested positive before, there would be reasons to believe it is not an inadvertent use.

“For medal winners, they would have to give up the medals.”

Rink said the athletes will not be identified at this stage.

“The details will not be made public until the appeal process is over,” he said. “In fact, there have been some criticism on that but that is the process that we follow.”

In competition Tuesday, Mohamed Fadil added the 10,000 meters to his half-marathon gold on the final day of track and field.

Chad LaTourette of the United States won the men’s 1,500 meters on the final day at the pool, capping a strong meet for the American swimmers.

U.S. swimmers won 26 medals – 10 golds, eight silver and eight bronze. Japan was second with 15 medals overall.

“We had some spectacular performances,” U.S. swim coach Mark Schubert said. “You’ll see swimmers from this team competing in Beijing.”

The U.S. women’s basketball team, led by Erin Floyd’s 16 points, beat Taiwan 66-55 in a consolation game.

The win gave the U.S., being represented by the Charlotte 49ers, a 4-2 record and a shot at fifth place. The Americans face Turkey on Wednesday.