Posted: January 15, 2005

Drugs in Sport: Walder Accepts Two-Year Suspension

By Bob Ramsak, Track Profile

(c) 2004 Track Profile all rights reserved TrackProfile.com

U.S. Long jumper Erick Walder received a two-year suspension after testing positive for two stimulants at a competition last June, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced today. In 1994, Walder leaped 8.74 meters in a meet in El Paso, Tex. at high altitude, equalling the seventh farthest leap ever. Walder was the bronze medallist in the event at the 1999 world championships. Below is the announcement from USADA, in its entirety. --Ed.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (January 14, 2005) -- The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced today that Erick Walder of Springdale, Ark., an athlete in the sport of track and field, has accepted a two-year suspension after his sample collected at the IAAF Adidas Oregon Track Classic on June 5, 2004, tested positive for two stimulants. The case was referred to USADA by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the international federation for track and field, on October 5, 2004.

The stimulants, amphetamine and methamphetamine, are prohibited under the rules of the IAAF, which has adopted the World Anti-Doping Code.

Walder, 33, accepted the minimum two-year suspension from all sanctioned competitions in accordance with IAAF rules and forfeits all competitive results and winnings achieved since June 5, 2004, the date of the test. After receiving credit for the time served for his provisional suspension, his suspension will end on October 4, 2006.

“I regret that I took someone else’s prescription medication,” Walder said. “I hope that other athletes learn from my mistake and call the USADA Drug Reference Line before taking any drugs.”

USA Track and Field, the national governing body for the sport in the United States, will carry out the sanction.

USADA is responsible for managing the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

Get a FREE trial Subscription to
The TRACK PROFILE Report TODAY!