Costa Rican Sherman Guity has announced that he has been banned from competition at the
Lima 2019 Parapan American Games after failing a doping test.
Sprinter Guity, who was due to compete in the T64 100m and 200m, made a statement outside the
athletes' village in Lima on Friday evening, August 23.
"I have bad news to tell. Four days before traveling to Lima, we received a notification from the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) in which they tell me that I am temporarily suspended because of an adverse control, because I used a medicine that contained a (prohibited) substance," he said.
"I had a piercing done a month ago and I got a keloid (raised scar) that needed surgery. I used the medicine after the surgery. We came to Lima to appeal the suspension, but that didn't work and I won't be able to compete (in the Parapan American Games)."
"Now I will have to train for the worlds (2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai in November) and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. This is another test I have to overcome."
"I would never cheat. I would never dope. I hope everything goes well and I can continue to compete."
The Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) has yet to issue an official statement.
Guity was due to carry his country's flag at the Opening Ceremony on Friday. He was replaced by swimmer Camila Hasse.
(END) ISG/RMB
Published: 8/24/2019