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Cape Town - This year’s Comrades Marathon winner, Ludwick Mamabolo, has denied using a banned substance to win this year's 89km race and has less than 72 hours to decide if he wants to get his 'B' sample tested, according to the EWN website.
VIDEO: Comrades winner's family shocked
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) on Tuesday confirmed that it had suspended Mamabolo for testing positive for a banned substance, methylhexaneamine, specified on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list.
It is the same substance that landed Springbok stars Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson in trouble in 2010.
If found guilty, the 35-year-old Limpopo accountant could be stripped of his title, lose the R300 000 prize money and face a sanction ranging from a warning up to a two-year ban.
"I didn't take any banned substances," Mamabolo was quoted as saying by the Timeslive website.
"The stuff that I use is what I have normally used throughout the years I have been running Comrades.
"I am confident that I will be found not guilty."
Mamabolo completed the 89km 'down' run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban in 5:31.03, to become the first South African winner of the race in seven years. Mamabolo also finished second in 2010.
Should he be stripped of his title, compatriot Bongmusa Mthembu will be declared the winner.
Top 10 in 2012 Comrades:
1. Ludwick Mamabolo (RSA) 5:31:03
2. Bongmusa Mthembu (RSA) 5:32:40
3. Leboka Noto (LES) 5:33:07
4. Marko Mambo (ZIM) 5:33:44
5. Leonid Shvetsov (RUS) 5:35:12
6. Stephen Muzhingi (ZIM) 5:38:02
7. Lephetesang Adoro (LES) 5:38:05
8. Gift Kehele (RSA) 5:38:39
9. Claude Moshiywa (RSA) 5:39:10
10. Petros Sosibo (RSA) 5:40:13
VIDEO: Comrades winner's family shocked
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) on Tuesday confirmed that it had suspended Mamabolo for testing positive for a banned substance, methylhexaneamine, specified on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list.
It is the same substance that landed Springbok stars Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson in trouble in 2010.
If found guilty, the 35-year-old Limpopo accountant could be stripped of his title, lose the R300 000 prize money and face a sanction ranging from a warning up to a two-year ban.
"I didn't take any banned substances," Mamabolo was quoted as saying by the Timeslive website.
"The stuff that I use is what I have normally used throughout the years I have been running Comrades.
"I am confident that I will be found not guilty."
Mamabolo completed the 89km 'down' run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban in 5:31.03, to become the first South African winner of the race in seven years. Mamabolo also finished second in 2010.
Should he be stripped of his title, compatriot Bongmusa Mthembu will be declared the winner.
Top 10 in 2012 Comrades:
1. Ludwick Mamabolo (RSA) 5:31:03
2. Bongmusa Mthembu (RSA) 5:32:40
3. Leboka Noto (LES) 5:33:07
4. Marko Mambo (ZIM) 5:33:44
5. Leonid Shvetsov (RUS) 5:35:12
6. Stephen Muzhingi (ZIM) 5:38:02
7. Lephetesang Adoro (LES) 5:38:05
8. Gift Kehele (RSA) 5:38:39
9. Claude Moshiywa (RSA) 5:39:10
10. Petros Sosibo (RSA) 5:40:13
