Wayne Odesnik fined for importing HGH, faces 2-year ban from ITF
By John Pye, APFriday, March 26, 2010
Odesnik fined for importing HGH
BRISBANE, Australia — Wayne Odesnik faces a ban from tennis after pleading guilty in an Australian court on Friday to importing human growth hormone into the country.
The 24-year-old American was stopped by customs officers on Jan. 2 as he arrived in Australia ahead of the Brisbane International and Australian Open, and eight vials, each containing 6 milligrams of the performance-enhancing substance, were found in his baggage.
Odesnik, pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to importing the hormone, the Australian Customs Service said in a statement late Friday. He was fined $7,280 plus $1,040 in court costs.
Tennis Australia declined comment Friday, referring questions about Odesnik to the International Tennis Federation. The ITF said it had received notification that the Odesnik had pleaded guilty to possession of HGH.
“The case has been referred to the tennis anti-doping program, and we don’t have any further comment,” the ITF said in a statement to The Associated Press.
The ATP, which runs the men’s tennis tour, did not immediately respond to messages left for comment.
Under the World Anti-Doping Authority code — to which the ITF is a signatory — Odesnik faces a possible two-year suspension for possession of a prohibited substance.
Odesnik, who is currently ranked No. 98 in the world, reached the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International and the second round of the Australian Open at Melbourne. He has since played in four tournaments in the United States, advancing beyond the first round just once.
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority was aware of the charges against Odesnik.
“ASADA is aware of the matter announced by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service,” ASADA said in a statement. “Under its legislation ASADA has power to receive information from Customs and to carry out investigations into possible violations of anti-doping rules.”
Marion Grant, a spokeswoman for the Customs Service’s Border Protection Enforcement, said: “This prosecution … should act as an important deterrent for other elite athletes who are considering similar activities.”
Australia’s Customs Act has an extensive list of performance-enhancing substances subject to import control.
