World champion fined in doping case 02/03/2007 00:00

PERPIGNAN, France, March 1, 2007 (AFP) - Lueyi Dovy, who was part of the French team which won the 2005 athletics world championships 4x100m relay gold, was on Thursday fined 500 euros after being found guilty of a doping charge.

Prosecutors had wanted the athlete handed a six-month suspended prison sentence after being charged with the acquisition and transport of harmful substances.

"I have been made a scapegoat," said the 31-year-old.

"Never again will I have faith in justice in my country. This shows how it's possible to find innocent people in prison."

Dovy had been originally arrested as part of a wider inquiry into drug trafficking involving the owner of a sauna in the town.

The athlete's name had been found on a businessman's mobile phone.

He had been accused of giving a vial of human growth hormone, banned by international anti-doping authorities, to his sister for safekeeping shortly before his arrest in January, 2006.

However Dovy's sister, an assistant pharmacist, immediately informed police of his actions through her former employers.

Raids on Lueyi Dovy's home uncovered nothing. Blood, urine and hair samples taken from the athlete also tested negative.

Dovy's lawyers said the results backed up their client's insistence that he had never used performing enhancing substances.

Prosecutors had said Dovy admitted giving his sister several items for safekeeping but denied there were any illicit substances.

He said that it contained cortisone which he was using as an anti-inflammatory. 

On Thursday, his lawyer demanded his client be released due to lack of evidence.

"When there is no proof, there is no conviction," said Eric Dupont-Moretti.

Dovy added that he may appeal the decision of the court.

Copyright AFP

Subject: French news