Canoeing Golden boy banned for using performance enhancing drugs
GOLD Coast Olympic gold medallist Tate Smith has been handed a two year ban for anti-doping violations.
The sprint canoer tested positive to the steroid stanozolol during a training camp in Hungary on July 21-22 last year.
He was found guilty by the Court of Arbitration for Sport and handed the penalty on October 2. ASADA announced the decision today.
It’s a fall from grace for Tate, who was in the team that won the K4 gold medal at the London Games.
Tate Smith with his canoe crew in London. Image Tate Smith / Facebook
The ban has been backdated to September 8 2014, meaning he has one more year to serve and will therefore dash any aspirations for the Rio Olympics.
At the time of his positive result, Australian Canoeing released a statement confirming he had been suspended: Mr Smith has been provisionally suspended until such time as matters are formally determined.
AC would like to reassure all members that it is working closely with ASADA to ensure that the proper process is applied to every person potentially affected by this matter.
