Cycling: Cycling Ireland have announced that Conor Murphy has tested positive for pseudoephedrine, following a test carried out at the Tour of Ulster on May 5th, 2003. The 20-year-old Monaghan rider had placed second on the second stage of the three-day race and finished seventh overall. He was also best under-23 in the race.
The test was conducted by the UK Sports Council's Drug Free Sport Unit. The analysis of the sample provided showed pseudoephedrine was present at a level greater than the permitted threshold of 25 micrograms per millilitre.
The substance is contained in many cold and flu medications, and helps ease breathing. Although pseudoephedrine is classified as a "soft" substance by cycling's world governing body, the UCI, the Crannog Ireland rider faces a possible ban of up to six months at the disciplinary hearing next month.
Under current UCI and International Olympic Committee rules, an athlete is responsible for ensuring that any product consumed is free from anything which would provide a positive test result.
Murphy's case will be heard by a panel of legal, medical and sporting experts.
Reacting to the news, Cycling Ireland's chief executive, Stuart Hallam, said in a statement: "It is imperative that all athletes from cycling and other sports show great diligence when taking medicines. Ignorance is no excuse for contravening the clearly stated anti-doping regulations of the national governing bodies.
"Over-the-counter medicines and those prescribed by doctors can often contain banned substances, and the athlete is responsible for the care of their own bodies and must always check the contents of any medication."
