Montsho investigates how she consumed banned substance
Mqondisi Dube | Thursday September 4, 2014 14:54
In a media statement released yesterday, lawyers from Rantao Kewagamang attorneys said the athlete had decided to conduct ‘scientific’ investigations to determine how she consumed the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine.
Montsho tested positive after the 400m finals at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in July. She was provisionally suspended and her race results, in which she finished fourth, nullified.
The matter was initially handled by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and after Montsho accepted the findings, it reached the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which referred it to the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) for appropriate sanction. The CGF had found Montsho guilty of violating the anti-doping code.
Her lawyers said she wants to ascertain how she came into contact with the banned stimulant.
“She has the right to request for a hearing within 14 days of receipt of the BAA notification, or alternatively not request for a hearing. To that end, Amantle has, on advice, decided to do her own investigations into how the prohibited substance could have found its way into her body. These scientific investigations are now underway and ought to be respected,” reads the statement from the lawyers.
The lawyers said Montsho will respect and fully cooperate with the legal processes of the IAAF.
“Meanwhile, the athlete is going through counseling and hopes that this process will be respected,” said the statement.
Anti-doping experts said Montsho’s move is an indication she has an idea of what she consumed which might have contained the stimulant.
“She has an idea of what she consumed and therefore we will want to verify which product exactly. It is not an expensive process, she can check on the internet what a certain product contains or if she is unsure, she can take it to a laboratory,” said an anti-doping expert.
“Remember she has to prove that she did not deliberately take the banned substance in order for her to get a lighter sentence.”
Early this week BAA spokesperson, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba told Mmegi Sport that they will brief the media once the matter had been concluded. The BAA will, at some stage, call the former world champion for a hearing.