tharanga fails doping test

Sri Lanka batsman Upul Tharanga failed a random doping test during the recent Cricket World Cup.

The left-handed player has been informed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that he tested positive for a banned steroid.

In confirming the news, the Sri Lankan sports ministry added that a national inquiry would also be held.

Spokesman Harsha Abeykoon said: "The sports minister (Mahindananda Aluthgamage) named a three-member panel to launch a domestic investigation and as a first step they will record a statement from Tharanga at the earliest opportunity."

not someone i would of expected to fail a drugs test but it seems to become more common in sports nowadays


sorry if this has been put up already ( send pm and ill delete it)
source: sky sports

Heard about Tharanga failing a drugs test but not the whole team being forced for a inquiry.

Interesting news,Sri Lanka could be in abit bother if any more players are found guilty.

Even Cricketers are at it now!

Tharanga was caught taking prednisolone and this drug is actually used for treating asthma (as well as a range of other medical conditions). Tharanga was suffering from asthma and was taking the drug for this reason. It is a banned substance from the WADA list however although I would say the performance enhancing effects are rather minimal if at all. Indeed, they may even have detrimental effects on performance as it is possible they inhibit/disrupt the body's natural testosterone production and will weaken the bones which will increase an athletes susceptibility to injury. But they are a steroid drug hence the ban.

It is possible Tharanga can escape the ban, or at least have his sentence vastly reduced, if he shows that he needs the drug for a medical illness. He would have probably avoided any mishaps to begin with if he filed a therapeutic use exemption form before taking the drug.

Monsta - Is it a drug for which a TUE would be accepted? If so, I'd expect only a very short suspension to be imposed (3 to 6 months) rather than the mandated 2 years.

Does sound like an inadvertant or ignorant positive rather than any attempt to gain a performance advantage, so I do have a bit of sympathy for the guy. Just shows though that all professional sports people need to take great care if they are taking any medication.

I am not surprised you know - I reckon that like match fixing drug use in cricket is something we have barely scratched the surface of...I thought the BCCI's opposition to the WAPDA code, which I think is what has caught out Tharanga, was downright suspicious - I would not be surprised if some major stars are caught out in the near future.