6 Mar 2008

Top Samoa weightlifter banned for using steroids

3:05 pm on 6 March 2008

One of Samoa's top weightlifters, Niusila Opeloge, has been banned for two years for using steroids.

The decision has been made by the International Weightlifting Federation and follows a positive test after last November's World Cup weightlifting competition in Samoa.

Opeloge, who won three gold medals at the South Pacific Games, has denied using the drugs.

The President of the Samoa Association of Sports and the National Olympic Committee, Vaeolenofoafia Tapasu Leung Wai, says it will carry out a separate drug test.

Opeloge was meant to compete in this month's Oceania Olympic qualifying competition in New Zealand.