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Spanish doping developments

11.12.2010 World

More developments in Spain in the Operacion Galgo. Spanish Federation RFEA suspended steeple world champion Marta Dominguez as its vice-president in the wake of the operation.

RFEA president Jose Maria Odriozola sent a letter to Dominguez, saying the charges against her did “important damage to the image of Spanish athletics.” In view of the events men´s title defender Alemayehu Bezabeh withdrew from Sunday´s European CC Championships in Albufeira. He is namely coached by Manuel Pascua Piqueras who was also arrested on Thursday. Later followed also the withdrawal of European 1500 m champion Nuria Fernández. The list of arrested people also includes 2002 European 5000 m champion Alberto Garcia who in period 2003-2005 already served a two years doping ban. Opinions in the public are different. Other runners themselves are supporting the operation to clean the Spanish sports. 5000 m European silver medalist Jesus Espana was quoted as saying: “It is an open secret that finally begins to come to light. Many of us greatly rejoice.” Also 2009 national 800 m champion Luis Alberto Marco criticized the practice of doping and acknowledged that “it has declared a state of alarm in the Spanish athletics. I support zero tolerance on doping.” Marca informs that the IAAF is watching the developments and will wait. There has been no official contact towards IAAF so far. In other articles also the walking 2006 Euro gold medalist Francisco Fernandez was mentioned in an interesting connection. Namely he was banned for two years for possession of doping substances. But he asked IAAF for reduction to one year which would allow him to compete at World Championships in Daegu. Reduction is possible also in the case when the athlete cooperates in the research of usage of prohibited substances. But Fernandez clearly denied any connection to the Operation Galgo. Double European Champion from 2006 Francis Obikwelu of Portugal denied intentions to return to Madrid and train under coach Manuel Pascua Piqueras who was arrested on Thursday during Operation Galgo. “No, no, nothing. I am in Lisbon. As you know, I returned to Portugal in 2008. And I intend to continue to train here. I worked with Pascua Piqueras, that is true, but there was never anything suspicious, “said Obikwelu for Portugal media. He was living in Madrid in 2003-2008 period. Next aim for Obikwelu is European Indoor Championships in Paris.


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