Athletics: Moroccan suspended athlete to go to court for on doping charges
Morocco, Sports, 3/3/2003

Moroccan Steeplechase world record-holder Brahim Boulami said Friday he will go to the Court of Arbitration in Sport to establish his innocence of doping charges.

Boulami, who was interviewed by MAP news agency, said he had hoped the problem would have been solved at the level of the International Athletics Federation (IAAF).

Boulami was suspended by IAAF Friday following "positive" tests for the banned endurance-enhancing drug EPO.

IAAF referred the case to the Court of Arbitration in Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, after the Moroccan federation had cleared Boulami on Feb. 11.

Boulami, who has denied taking the banned substance, could face a two-year ban if found guilty.

"I will go to the Court with a strong file with the backing of experts and lawyers to prove that I am innocent," said Boulami.

IAAF said in a brief statement "The IAAF's doping review board has concluded that the Moroccan federation misdirected itself with this decision."

Boulami tested positive for EPO in Zurich, Switzerland, on Aug. 15. His B sample also tested positive.

The next day Boulami broke his own world record in the steeplechase, clocking 7 minutes 53.17 seconds. His old mark was 7:55.28 set in 2001.

The IAAF said the new record will be withdrawn if the Moroccan is found guilty. The 2001 record would stand.

Previous Stories:
  Arazi lost to Swiss Roger Federer   (3/1/2003)
  Dubai tennis open: Morocco's Arazi cruises to third round   (2/28/2003)
  Tennis: Morocco's Al-Aynaoui 8th on ATP Champions Race   (2/25/2003)
  Russian doping expert says training in mountain might have affected Boulami's epo test   (9/16/2002)
  Morocco's Steeplechaser Boulami Tests positive for EPO, Claims Innocence   (8/30/2002)
  Morocco, Spain probe relations in sports   (1/23/2002)

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