South African Warren Scott Karsten has received a two-year ban from the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Committee of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), FINA announced today.
Karsten tested positive at the Swimming South Africa National Championships meet in Port Elizabeth in April for the banned substances 19-Norandrosterone and 19-Noreticholanolone, which are classed by FINA as S.1.1.b Enodgenous Anabolic Endrogenic Steroids.
His suspension was back-dated only to June 10th, 2013, almost two months after the positive test. At the meet, the 22-year old finished 4th in the men’s 100 breaststroke in 1:04.40 (he was a 1:03.9 in the semi-finals) and also finished 3rd in a Vanderburgh-less 50 breaststroke with a 29.10.
The two substances that he tested positive for are often found together. The drug has been banned for some three decades, and other possible reasons for a positive test include frequently-tainted supplements, and even eating edible parts of a non-castrated pig. Women secrete the substance naturally during pregnancy.
The two substances are found in urine after use of certain anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are substances that effect the body similarly to testosterone, which means that they can promote muscle growth.
