Jaben Faces Swimming Association Tribunal Next Tuesday

UPDATE

B"H

I sure want to believe that Jaben will beat this and compete in the Olympics. If he does, I sure will have someone to root for when the games begin.

I know the particular steroid they found in his blood is not used for humans--it is only approved for veterinary use--but it is also a steroid that stays in the blood for years. So, perhaps, someone slipped him something a long time ago and it is over now.

I am sure he isn't stupid enough to have taken steroids when he is trying to qualify for the Olympics. I'm sure he is quite aware of the blood tests and how sensitive they are. It just doesn't make sense that he would have taken a dose (or more) of steroids and then thought he could still be on the team. So, I am opting for the "Jaben must be innocent" line of thought.

Good luck, Max. I'm over here cheering--even before the games begin!

M
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Jul 22, 2008 1:24 | Updated Jul 22, 2008 1:32
Max Jaben set to face Swimming Association tribunal
By ALLON SINAI
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331049009&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Swimmer Max Jaben, who has been suspended from the Israeli Olympic team after failing a drugs test, will plead his innocence on Tuesday afternoon when he faces an Israeli Swimming Association tribunal.

The 22-year-old will try and explain how traces of the anabolic steroid Boldenone were found in a urine sample taken from him in April.

Jaben has claimed that he has alternative theories for the failed test and is hoping that these will convince the ISA to choose the unlikely option of punishing him lightly.

Gili Lostig, the director of Israel's Elite Sport Department, the division set up in 1984 to oversee the selection of athletes for the Olympics, has followed Jaben closely since he made aliya from the US last summer following his appearance in the 2005 Maccabiah, and is deeply disappointed with the unexpected twist to the swimmer's story.

"This is very disappointing. We're talking about an athlete who came to the Maccabiah and decided to make aliya and live his life in Israel," Lostig told The Jerusalem Post.

"He settled in very well and made impressive progress in the pool, meeting the Olympic Committee of Israel criteria. This is a shattered dream and undoubtedly a bitter disappointment."