First doping case: Japanese short tracker tests positive

The Japanese short tracker Kei Saito tested positive for the masking substance acetazolamide in Pyeongchang on February 4th before the start of the competitions and was temporarily banned, as the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced on Tuesday. The B sample was also positive. Saito has left the Olympic Village, according to the Japanese delegation.

The 21-year-old is the first Japanese doping case at the Winter Games. He denies knowingly cheating. "I am surprised and dismayed. This is inexplicable. I never intended to dope. I attended the Japanese anti-doping seminar and followed all instructions," he said in a written statement.

His belief is: "Athletes shouldn't dope. I've never taken any preparations that I had to conceal." Acetazolamide is a diuretic that is prescribed, among other things, for altitude sickness and increased eye pressure. It increases lung function and has a depurative effect, allowing other banned substances to leave the body more quickly. Japan's Chef de Mission Yasuo Saito confirmed that the short tracker had tested negative at the training camp at home on January 29th. Nevertheless, Kei Saito submits for the time being. "Fighting this now would bring trouble for the entire team. Therefore, I am leaving the village and accepting the temporary ban," he said. Nevertheless, he will try to prove his innocence. All decisions regarding a doping offense rest with the CAS Anti-Doping Unit.

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First doping case: Japanese short tracker tests positive

The Winter Olympics have their first doping case. A Japanese man was hit.

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