Apology sought from doctor

Press, 30 September 1988, Page 14

Apology sought from doctor

PA Wellington The New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association has hit back at claims from an Auckland doctor, Lloyd Drake, that two members of the Olympic team in Seoul have returned positive doping tests. The N.Z.A.A.A. has issued a statement seeking a retraction and an apology from Dr Drake over his comments. Dr Drake claimed New Zealand’s Olympic team doctors, Dr Dave Gerrard and Richard Edmond, knew of the tests which were allegedly conducted before the team left for South Korea, "yet it was all swept under the carpet” Last evening the N.Z.A.A.A., in a statement released simultaneously in Seoul and Wellington, rejected Dr Drake’s comments. “The N.Z.A.A.A. undertook dope testing at the national track and field championships in Hamilton in March 1988. “There were 10 athletes tested including Simon Poelman and Chrissie Pfitzinger. All 10 were negative,” the statement said. “Of the other members in the track and field team, Anne Audain and Lorraine Moller have been tested at road races in America during this year. “Christine McMiken was tested at the Canadian track and field championships and John Campbell was tested at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. “All tests were negative.”. In his remarks Dr Drake did not specify which sport the two athletes were from. “If Dr Drake was referring to any track and field athletes the association would request a retraction of his statement and an apology,” the statement concluded. Z >