Friday, August 28, 2009

Lisa Hunter-Galvan Admits Doping

The New Zealand Sports Tribunal met yesterday to rule on the case of Lisa Hunter-Galvan. Today the panel issued its ruling that Hunter-Galvan was found guilty of a doping violation for use of rHuEPO, a blood boosting drug used mainly by endurance athletes. The ruling states that Hunter-Galvan admitted taking EPO.

Hunter-Galvan won the women's race at the 2008 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. The win helped her earn a trip to Beijing to compete in the Olympic Marathon. It was her second time representing New Zealand in the Games, having also competed for the Kiwi's in Athens in 2004. But Hunter-Galvan had been left off the team for Beijing until she was able to convince the New Zealand selectors that she deserved a spot on the team. Her Grandma's win helped in that effort.

She turned 40 in June, but was tested in San Antonio, where she lives, on March 23, 2009. Once the B sample confirmed the positive test, Hunter-Galvan admitted taking the drug three times this year. The Tribunal's decision can be found here. Reaction to the situation from New Zealand can be found here. Hunter-Galvan talks about her decision here.

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