I’m not a dope - Magakwe

South Africa's fastest man, Simon Magakwe, insists he never dodged a doping test. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

South Africa's fastest man, Simon Magakwe, insists he never dodged a doping test. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Published May 9, 2015

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South Africa’s fastest man, Simon Magakwe, insists he never dodged a doping test. In an exclusive interview with the Saturday Star this week, the athlete revealed he had been “sabotaged” by the drug board appointed to conduct his dope test in December last year.

Three months ago the sprint king was handed a two-year ban from the track by the World Governing Body for Athletics (IAAF), for allegedly refusing a dope test in December. It was reported that Magakwe had refused to give a urine sample.

The IAAF had requested an out- of-competition dope test on the sprinter and hired an independent drug board to conduct the tests.

However, it was reported that Magakwe had refused to submit a sample.

Anti-doping regulations allow athletes to miss two tests in 12 months, but refusing to submit a sample is treated as a doping offence.

“I did not forget to give a sample. I had an emergency to deal with and asked the two officers who had come to test me, to come with me to attend to my emergency first. But they refused.”

Magakwe insists he had nothing to hide.

“It’s tough because those people who came to test me just sabotaged me by saying I refused. I am not angry with the IAAF.

“I am angry with the two officers who lied and said I had refused. I hate them right now but I will thank them later when I come back.

“They were not even at my hearing and I am wondering why.”

Magakwe’s ban will stick after he also missed the 45-day deadline to lodge his appeal. He had filed an appeal, but failed to pay the filing fee of nearly R13 000.

Despite this, the 28-year-old said he was still trying to get the ban overturned, although the IAAF has considered the matter closed.

“We are still trying to ask if it’s possible to appeal. My hope was to compete in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next year.”

Magakwe was aiming to compete in his first Olympics in Rio but the ban would effectively end in January, 2017. “I feel very sad because my dream is to be in the Olympics,” said Magakwe.

The athlete, who became the first South African to break the 10-second barrier when he stopped the clock at 9.98 seconds at the SA Championships last year. He missed out on the 2012 London Olympics when Oscar Pistorius filled the last spot in the squad.

The ban, however, has not dampened Magakwe’s spirits, who is determined to compete at the Olympic Games in 2020.

“I will stay focused and do what I do best. By God’s grace I will be able to run in 2020 if there is no other sabotage. Because it seems like whenever the Olympics comes around, something happens.”

The IAAF has refused to comment on the claims made by Magakwe that he was sabotaged, but the governing body has insisted the case was conducted according to IAAF rules.

“The case has been conducted in full accordance with those of the World Anti-Doping Agency,” said Laura Gallo, IAAF medical and anti-doping department results manager assistant.

“The IAAF has been informed by CAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport) that Mr Magakwe has not paid his filing fee and that therefore his appeal is deemed withdrawn.

“As such, the case is now concluded and the athlete has been sanctioned: two years ineligibility.

“The IAAF has no further comment to make,” Gallo said. - Saturday Star

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