Local Athletics: Zemiro escapes drug ban for Olympics
06/27/2012 06:27
Anti-Doping Committee of Israel court settles for a one-month suspension and a reprimand following Zemiro's failed drug test.
ZOHAR ZEMIRO Photo: IAAF website
Israeli marathon runner Zohar Zemiro will be able to compete in the London
Olympics after the Anti-Doping Committee of Israel court settled for a one-month
suspension and a reprimand following his failed drug test.
The
35-year-old, who became the first Israeli athlete to book his place in the 2012
Games when he ran the Amsterdam Marathon in 2:14.28 hours in April of last year,
tested positive for Terbutaline earlier this month, an illegal substance usually
found in asthma inhalers.
Zemiro pleaded guilty but explained that he has
suffered from asthma symptoms for some years and a small amount of Terbutaline
must have entered his body without his knowledge.
Due to the
circumstances of the failed test, the court decided to allow Zemiro to run in
London, with his one-month suspension already being served in the time that has
passed since it was revealed he tested positive.
“This has been the most
difficult time of my life,” said Zemiro, who will now just hope that the World
Anti-Doping Agency doesn’t appeal the decision. “I’m happy that this hell is
behind me.”