Nicholas
11-12-2006, 08:15 PM
Australian rugby union star Wendell Sailor has withdrawn his appeal of a two-year drug ban from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The dual international was suspended in July after testing positive to cocaine following a Super 14 match for NSW Waratahs against the Brumbies on April 16.
"I have decided to withdraw my appeal in the Court of Arbitration of Sport against the two-year ban imposed on me by the ARU anti-doping tribunal," Sailor said in a statement issued by his lawyers.
"I cannot stress enough that I did not and would never have attempted to cheat in sport through any means.
"Nothing in fact would be more against my beliefs than doing so through the use of drugs.
"Unfortunately I, like many other young Australians, fell to the off field temptation of a so called 'party drug'.
"I will pay a heavier price than most for this, but I hope my experience serves as some lesson to others about the dangers of these substances.
"Part of me would like to appeal the decision to prove that I was not attempting to cheat, but ultimately I accept that it was my error of judgment that has placed me in this position.
"I am hopeful of resuming my playing career when this ban is lifted in 2008.
"In the meantime I am keen to become involved in educating young sportsmen and women on the dangers of these substances."
The dual international was suspended in July after testing positive to cocaine following a Super 14 match for NSW Waratahs against the Brumbies on April 16.
"I have decided to withdraw my appeal in the Court of Arbitration of Sport against the two-year ban imposed on me by the ARU anti-doping tribunal," Sailor said in a statement issued by his lawyers.
"I cannot stress enough that I did not and would never have attempted to cheat in sport through any means.
"Nothing in fact would be more against my beliefs than doing so through the use of drugs.
"Unfortunately I, like many other young Australians, fell to the off field temptation of a so called 'party drug'.
"I will pay a heavier price than most for this, but I hope my experience serves as some lesson to others about the dangers of these substances.
"Part of me would like to appeal the decision to prove that I was not attempting to cheat, but ultimately I accept that it was my error of judgment that has placed me in this position.
"I am hopeful of resuming my playing career when this ban is lifted in 2008.
"In the meantime I am keen to become involved in educating young sportsmen and women on the dangers of these substances."