SINGAPORE : A bodybuilder who did not take a mandatory doping test at a competition on April 20 has given his side of the story to Channel NewsAsia.

His name was not disclosed by the Singapore Bodybuilding Federation (SBBF).

However, SBBF did reveal that two participants faced a ban after they skipped the test and that one had been a winner in his category, while the other came in third for his event.

Channel NewsAsia managed to contact one of them and contrary to earlier reports, he claimed that he had been given permission to leave the event, which was held at Victoria Theatre.

SBBF had said that the two had left the venue without informing the organisers, even after they were told that they needed to provide urine samples after the end of the competition.

The federation added that of the 10 contestants who were required to take the test, the two could not provide urine samples even after a four-hour wait and after they had drunk about two litres of water.

But according to the bodybuilder who spoke to Channel NewsAsia, he could not provide a urine sample because he had taken very little fluid five days prior to the event, as part of his preparations for the event.

He claimed that despite repeated attempts, he could not produce the samples and even had stomach cramps.

However, he added that he does not want to challenge the ban imposed on him. He said he just wants the whole matter to be put to rest as he plans to quit the sport.

When contacted, SBBF did not want to comment on the latest response.

It told Channel NewsAsia that the two participants will be banned, in accordance with the policy set out by the World Anti-Doping Agency when an athlete fails to take a drug test.

The ban will last for two years, during which they will not be able to take part in any bodybuilding contests anywhere in the world.

The names of the two athletes involved had been withheld because SBBF had not issued the notice of suspension to them.

SBBF earlier said the two could not be contacted or traced after they left the competition venue on the day of competition. - CNA/ms