Doping incident confirmed

Johannesburg - The South African Sports Confederation and Olympics Committee (SASCOC) CEO Tubby Reddy, confirmed on Thursday the banned drug Actovegin, had been administered to retired sprinter Geraldine Pillay in 2008.

Health24's list of banned substances

"The issue is not whether Pillay was administered the drug, because the reports indicate the drug had been taken, but whether at the time the drug was banned," explained Reddy

The Citizen newspaper first published the report on Thursday, alleging athletics coach Ekkart Arbeit, instructed the team doctor, Maaki Ramagole, to administer the drug to Pillay.

The report implicated former Athletics South Africa (ASA) manager Molatelo Malehopo, revealing in a search of his office, the drug in question was found.

Investigators found e-mails confirming Dr Ramagole allegedly injected Pillay with the drug between April and May 2008.

Meanwhile in a statement issued by Sam Mlangeni, deputy national spokesperson for South African athletes on behalf of athletes, they were disgusted and disappointment by the manner in which some people in athletics are trying to discredit Pillay.

"With ASA holding its elections this weekend, it is disappointing some people are using Pillay as their campaigning tool, which is very unfair.

"As athletes, we want to put it on record we support Geraldine Pillay as our candidate on Saturday.

"It is unfortunate that some people are using their position within athletics to pursue their selfish agendas," the statement concluded.