Another one bites the dust. Honolulu Marathon winner of the Women's section in 2006, Lyubov Denisova, tested positive for elevated testosterone levels in March.
Denisova beat the course record in 2006 and was not tested at the event, she was 'knobbled' via an out of competition test conducted by the World Anti Doping Agency.
Well WADA you know, the Russian athlete was able to bank $67000 after her record breaking run and did not have to run the gauntlet of a test in Honolulu, apparently they have not tested since 2000. That was the year compatriot, Lyubov Morgunova, set the course record of 2hr 28min 33sec which was to stand for 6 years till Denisova's visit.
Just as cheating is part of our daily life unfortunately it is also part of our running life. And just as the two may go hand in hand with the cheaters, the bizarre statements that follows by the athlete and their management team also tends to go hand in hand.
How this Mother Teresa of running by the name of Denisova can be implicated as a cheat is a dreadful misunderstanding, according to her wonderful manager Andrey Baranov. He claims it was an honest mistake her taking a banned supplement.
Yes, I suppose, just as Davies walking on Clapham Common?
But not to worry, she will accept any punishment that is handed down. The Honolulu organisers have said she may keep the prize money as the test took place after the event however one wonders whether it will be fair game for the Russian Federation.
The athlete had bought the 'contaminated supplement' via the internet and for her it was an honest mistake as she only runs for herself and not for monetary gain. Of course, why would she then need a manager?
At least, now that I come to think of it, the Irish athlete Cathal Lombard admitted outright his guilt and didn't try to hide behind obscure ghosts after testing positive for EPO, a substance he had also purchased via the internet.
This internet is really quite something and we should all be thankful to Al Gore
