Swedish curler fails drugs test at Vancouver 2010 Paralympics

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Posted: Saturday 20th March 2010 | 15:04

SWEDEN'S Paralympic curler Glenn Ikonen faces a two-year suspension after learning he has failed a drugs test, just hours before his teammates secured their place in the Vancouver 2010 semi-finals.

BITTERSWEET: Sweden overcome Italy to reach the last four of the Winter Paralympics but they were deprived of the services of Glenn Ikonen, who has failed a drugs test in Canada (Getty Images)

Sweden overcame Italy in the tie-breaker at the Vancouver Paralympic Centre on Friday but were without Ikonen, who had earlier been informed a random drug test had detected a banned beta blocker, generally used to control high blood pressure.

Ikonen told reporters his doctor had prescribed the medication in Sweden and he was unaware it was banned. He has the right to appeal his two-year suspension by the International Paralympic Committee.

However, he will be forced to sit out Saturday's final matches.

"I am shocked. I couldn't imagine this. I am an old man. I'm 54 years old. I would never take anything I can't take," Ikonen said in a statement.

"I'm disappointed in my doctor at home. I told him I didn't want anything I can't take."

Sweden's win over Italy ensures they will face Canada in Saturday's semi-finals, while the USA will meet South Korea.

Comments

When you're a sportsman you

Submitted by drug rehab programs (not verified) on Wed, 11/24/2010 - 19:43.

When you're a sportsman you always need to pay great attention to the kind of drugs you're taking especially if you're about to attend a competition that's why it's hard to find these people an excuse when they test positive on drug tests.

There's always a need for

Submitted by marowe_B on Mon, 04/12/2024 - 06:29.

There's always a need for every one to be involved in a drug test.. I saw the scopolamine thing too – about Burundanga and the Borrachero plant (means drunk, BTW) and it's reprehensible what’s going on there, but before everyone panics and gets payday advances to send down lawyers, guns, and cash.