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SYDNEY, Australia, August 16. THE Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) has received medical evidence from Ian Thorpe that the Olympic champion hopes will clear his name and provide a reason why doping tests returned unusual levels of testosterone, epitestosterone and luteinizing hormones. The results of the adverse analytical findings were revealed in a story by L'Equipe during the World Championships in Melbourne in March.
Six months prior to his retirement, Thorpe's samples showed adverse findings, but ASADA believed the high levels were naturally occurring and did not proceed. However, once FINA learned of the findings, it appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Soon, it is hoped, a decision will be made on the Thorpe case, which has dragged on longer than most cases.
Thorpe, a five-time Olympic champion and longtime outspoken against doping, has steadfastly proclaimed his innocence. The test that revealed the unusual levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone were from May 2006. Thorpe's unusual levels are likely for naturally occurring reasons, which the evidence submitted is expected to reveal.