Doping scandal rocks South Korea pole vaulting world

[Enrique]

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2010/07/136_68969.html

Lim Eun-ji, one of South Korea's top athletic prospects, has been suspended Tuesday for three months as the female pole vault jumper failed a dope test.

Her usage of a prohibited substance, however, was not on purpose, according to the Korean Association of Athletics Federation.

The Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA) said that Lim, the current national record holder with 4.35 meters, gave the urine sample during a domestic track and field event in May and its result showed the athlete took hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide, which are banned in the sport.

During the ensuing probe, Lim reportedly said she took some oriental medicine without knowing that it contained the barred ingredients. The athlete said before the doping test that she had taken the medicine for her sore ankle, and claimed that she was not guilty in the hearing held on June 10.

(...)