Triathlete out of Games after failed drug test

Canadian triathlete Kelly Guest is to be sent home from the Commonwealth Games after he failed a drugs test, Canadian team officials said on Friday.

Guest, 25, returned a positive test for the banned steroid nandrolone at the ITU triathlon World Cup event in Edmonton, Canada on july 14.

Canadian officials said in a statement that Guest's 'A' sample had returned levels above the acceptable limit.

"I don't know how this happened," Guest told a media conference. "I do take nutritional supplements but these are well known brands, something any athlete may take. "I now have to try and understand what has happened," Guest said he was unsure whether he would appeal. "The first thing I have to do is just find out what this is all about," he said. "I have a lot to learn in the next few days.

"Representing Canada in the Commonwealth Games has been a dream of mine for a long time and the last 24 hours have been more like a nightmare than a dream."

Canadian triathlon coach Lance Watson said Guest's positive test had wider implications.

"These were very mainstream common products," he said. "They are energy replacement products. It's baffling. It must be cross contamination or something.

"I am concerned for all the athletes around the world for what are considered to be mainstream products. There is nothing irregular or bizarre or unusual about the products, they are common things Kelly was taking."

Canada's Chef de Mission Marg McGregor said the team had been upset when they were told about the test yesterday.

"It's very upsetting to be informed of this infraction on the day of the opening ceremony. A lot of tears were shed last night but as a team we stand behind Kelly."

Triathlon Canada's president Bill Hallett said his organisation would offer guest help.

"We will certainly support him throughout this entire process," he said in a statement.

"Triathlon Canada is committed to drug free sport, and the processes which ensure the integrity of our athletes. Drugs are not part of the culture of triathlon."

Commonwealth Games officials announced earlier this week that triathlon would be one of the four sports targeted for blood testing during the games, which opened last night.

Cycling, athletics and swimming were the other sports targeted by doping officials to test for the blood boosting drug erythopoietin.

The triathlon competition is on the morning of the last day of the games, august 4.

Guest has a world ranking of 91, while Canada's other male triathlete Simon Whitfield won the gold medal at the 2000 sydney olympics.