c-ray
04-27-2006, 03:53 AM
By BILL WARD wward@tampatrib.com
Published: Apr 26, 2006
http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGB62H2YGME.html
TAMPA - Brooksville native John Capel is facing a two-year ban from track and field as a result of his second positive test for marijuana, the sport's world governing body (IAAF) confirmed Tuesday.
Capel's latest positive test for the drug occurred Feb. 18 at an indoor meet in Birmingham, England. His first positive test for marijuana came at an outdoor meet in Germany in August 2004. That resulted in his removal from the U.S. Olympic 4x100-meter relay team at the Athens Games.
Under IAAF rules, marijuana is considered a "specified substance," not a performance-enhancing drug such as steroids. As a result, Capel received a public warning for his first offense. Capel was told a second positive test for a specified substance would result in a two-year suspension, as specified by the World Anti-Doping Code. At that time, Capel, a former world champion at 200 meters and third at last year's world finals, admitted he had used marijuana and that he would stop using it. "My career's on the line and I have a family counting on me to support them," he said.
Capel, 27, did not return a message left at his Gainesville residence. Under U.S. Anti-doping rules, he has the right to challenge the results of this latest positive test and request a hearing by independent arbitration.
A former wide receiver for the University of Florida, Capel could return to football. There too, however, he would have to overcome a reputation for marijuana use. In the 2001 NFL draft, he was selected in the seventh round by the Chicago Bears but later tested positive for the drug at the draft combine.
In May 2001, he was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Alachua County and eventually was released by the Bears. A year later, he had a tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs but did not make the roster.
Published: Apr 26, 2006
http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGB62H2YGME.html
TAMPA - Brooksville native John Capel is facing a two-year ban from track and field as a result of his second positive test for marijuana, the sport's world governing body (IAAF) confirmed Tuesday.
Capel's latest positive test for the drug occurred Feb. 18 at an indoor meet in Birmingham, England. His first positive test for marijuana came at an outdoor meet in Germany in August 2004. That resulted in his removal from the U.S. Olympic 4x100-meter relay team at the Athens Games.
Under IAAF rules, marijuana is considered a "specified substance," not a performance-enhancing drug such as steroids. As a result, Capel received a public warning for his first offense. Capel was told a second positive test for a specified substance would result in a two-year suspension, as specified by the World Anti-Doping Code. At that time, Capel, a former world champion at 200 meters and third at last year's world finals, admitted he had used marijuana and that he would stop using it. "My career's on the line and I have a family counting on me to support them," he said.
Capel, 27, did not return a message left at his Gainesville residence. Under U.S. Anti-doping rules, he has the right to challenge the results of this latest positive test and request a hearing by independent arbitration.
A former wide receiver for the University of Florida, Capel could return to football. There too, however, he would have to overcome a reputation for marijuana use. In the 2001 NFL draft, he was selected in the seventh round by the Chicago Bears but later tested positive for the drug at the draft combine.
In May 2001, he was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Alachua County and eventually was released by the Bears. A year later, he had a tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs but did not make the roster.