AUCKLAND: Two Welsh weightlifters, Gareth Hives and Ricky Chaplin, who failed drug tests at the Commonwealth games here, have been banned from sports for life.
Welsh team manager Myrddin John on Feb 1st apologized publicly that drug-taking by his team members had brought a “black spot” on the otherwise wonderful games.
“The Welsh have been shattered,” John said. “We are extremely sorry that we in ‘Wales have been the people who have dampened the wonderful proceedings of these games,” he said.
John goes on to add: “We have a large white sheet and a little black sport and it’s the little black spot that’s getting the entire highlight.”
‘Meanwhile, commonwealth sports ministers, scheduled to meet next week, are almost certain to consider tougher regulations governing drugs in sports, particularly weightlifting.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 9, 1990
