Hong Kong's Ivan Lo fails to defend triathlon title over doping protocol breach
Local star is notable absentee from international event in Tsim Sha Tsui as he lodges appeal
Top athlete Ivan Lo Ching-hin failed to defend his title at the New World International Triathlon in Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday over what is believed to be a doping protocol breach.
The 26-year-old has kept a low profile since urging the Triathlon Association in April to have an "improved athletes selection policy" after the sport was demoted to "tier B" at the Hong Kong Sports Institute as a result of falling standards.
I heard it is nothing to do with whether Lo had taken any banned substance but rather infringing the whereabouts rule
Spain's world number two Mario Mola won the event on Sunday but Lo was conspicuous by his absence, with inquiries revealing he was suspended by the association because he had failed the Hong Kong Anti-Doping Committee's (ADC) whereabouts requirements for out-of-competition testing.
"I heard it is nothing to do with whether Lo had taken any banned substance but rather infringing the whereabouts rule," said one Hong Kong coach.
"We don't know the result yet and have to wait until the appeal is over before any information can be disclosed."
Athletes are required to provide their up-to-date and accurate whereabouts information so they can be located for spot tests. Failing to comply is an anti-doping rule violation.
