| |
Niccumm banned for two years American luger suspended after testing positive for drugs
Posted: Friday July 23, 1999 07:52 PM
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) -- An American luger was banned from competing for two years Friday because he tested positive for a drug banned by the International Olympic Committee. Christian Niccum was suspended by the United States Luge Association's executive board. The USLA's refused to say which drug was involved other than to say it was performance-enhancing. Niccum, of Woodinville, Wash., was tested along with teammates after the National Championships in Utah on Feb. 21. The positive results, available in March, were double-checked and in April the USLA was sure that Niccum had used the drug. The USLA tests competitors twice a year. It was the first time in the USLA's 20-year history that an athlete tested positive for an banned substance and was subsequently banned from the sport, said association spokesman Sandy Caligiore. "We didn't want to rush through this the first time," Caligiore said, explaining why it took the USLA three months to ban Niccum. Niccum refused the USLA's offer of a conditional re-instatement which required him to perform 100 hours of community service, undergo random drug tests, and seek professional help.
| |||||||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||||||
