NSW: One charged and others being investigated over steroids

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2000
NSW: One charged and others being investigated over steroids

A sports official has been charged with importing a banned steroid over the Internet.

The customs service says a number of other officials and young athletes are under investigation.

JOHN PRYOR, a scientist at the New South Wales Academy of Sport, is due to appear in
court in Sydney on May 9 on two charges of importing a prohibited import.

The 30-year-old, from Byron Bay in New South Wales, has been suspended from the Narrabeen
academy, where sprinters MELINDA GAINSFORD-TAYLOR and MATT SHIRVINGTON train.

A Customs spokesman has confirmed the investigation involved a package containing the
banned, performance-enhancing steroid, DHEA, which was sent to the academy under the scientist's
name.

Director-General of the state's Department of Sport and Recreation, BRENDAN O'REILLY,
has also confirmed a strength and speed specialist is being investigated over the ordering
of prohibited substances over the Internet, but refused to comment any further.

JOHN DRURY, deputy chief executive of the Customs Service, has confirmed that a number
of officials and some young persons involved in sport are also under investigation, but
no big-name stars are involved.

AAP RTV ab/jn

KEYWORD: STEROIDS (SYDNEY)

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