Positive drug test hands Samoa gold
Weightlifter, Nevo Ioane Vaipava, is a Commonwealth gold medal winner.
He has regained the gold medal in the 62kgs category after test results proved that the gold medallist at the time, Mohd Lazat, of Malaysia, was found positive for an anabolic steroid.
“It was confirmed just yesterday in an email that the Malaysian tested positive for steroid drugs,” said coach Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork.
“The gold medal was automatically removed from the Malaysian and he is now banned for two years. That means we have now won the gold medal.”
At the time of the games, Mr. Vaipava had to contend himself with the silver medal.
However, with the test results being confirmed, Tuaopepe said that this is good news for Samoa.
“It’s a big thing since it’s the Commonwealth championships, that means Nevo is ranked number one as we head them for the Commonwealth this year,” said Tuaopepe.
According to Tuaopepe, this is the first time that Nevo has won a gold medal for Samoa in the Commonwealth Games after winning a few medals in previous games.
“He was a gold medallist in last years’ Oceania championships, a gold medallist for the South Pacific mini-games at Wallis and Futuna and now a commonwealth gold medallist”, he said.
In fact, Tuaopepe was also concerned about the moment of the representation of the medal.
“I just want to highlight this gold medal because of the unfairness”, said Tuaopepe.
“Some people take drugs, which is very unfair for the other players because the moment is already gone”, he said.
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“That moment of standing on the podium receiving that gold medal is a highlight.
“It’s not fair that they have just informed us now when the time is already past”, he said.
Facing injustice, Tuaopepe thinks it is important to acknowledge the performance of Mr. Vaipava because he is still young.
“It is also another hope for us to win gold medals”, he said.
At training yesterday however, Mr. Vaipava just smiled when asked about the good news.
“I’m just very thankful that I have achieved this new level because the game was not that easy”, said Mr.
Vaipava. “Without the support of my family, the weightlifting association, my coach, as well as Samoa, I would have not achieved this medal so I want to thank you all for your support”, he said.
According to Mr. Vaipava, his only goal now is to win a gold medal for the Oceania and especially the commonwealth champs this year.
“We need commitment and help each other during the games”, said Mr. Vaipava.
“I am not only doing this for myself and my family, but also my country”, he said.
At the moment Mr. Vaipava and other top lifters are training hard and preparing for the Oceania championships, which will be hosted at New Caledonia in May as well as the Commonwealth champs in Scotland this year. Tuaopepe is also looking ahead.
“The Oceania Championships will be a qualification tournament for the Commonwealth games, which will be at the end of July.”
“The whole team is training three times a day, six days a week because of the importance of this year’s Commonwealth games”, he said.
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