Former Australian cyclist Andrew Wyper was given a two-year sanction by the CAS for attempting to use hGH and EPO. The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) made the announcement on Thursday. Wyper was convicted of importing the prohibited substances by the Australian Customs department after he ordered them through the internet in 2005.
Wyper represented his country at the World Road Championships in Hamilton, Canada and the World Junior Track Championships in Russia in 2003.
"There is no reason to require as a prerequisite that Mr Wyper must have obtained possession of the substances before he could take a substantial step in a course of conduct planned to culminate in the commission of an anti-doping rule violation," the CAS decided, according to the ASADA press release. "The conduct of Mr Wyper on or about 18 October 2005 of placing the order, arranging for it to be posted to him in Inverell and paying for the prohibited substances was itself a substantial step within the meaning of the Anti- Doping Policy."
ASADA Chairman, Richard Ings, said, "This case is significant for two reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates that the partnership between Australian Customs and ASADA is effective in detecting serious Anti-Doping Rule Violations. Secondly, this case highlights that athletes who purchase prohibited substances via the internet may face serious consequences under anti-doping rules and Australian law."
Wyper's suspension will run from February 7, 2008 until February 7, 2010, and all of his results from October, 18, 2005 have been invalidated by ASADA.
