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Police look into claims by EdwardsMay 13 2000The Electronic Telegraph Saturday 13 May 2000 Tom Knight FRAUD squad detectives are investigating claims by the banned shot-putter Paul Edwards that official documents relating to his last, positive drugs test were forged. In a development which could have far-reaching implications for the fight against doping in this country, detectives are understood to have visited the central London offices of UK Sport, the agency responsible for the majority of drug testing. Among those watching closely are lawyers representing British athletes fighting doping cases initiated in the UK. It is understood that if charges are brought, those lawyers will consider calling for a suspension of all cases until the criminal investigation is completed. Edwards, 41, was banned for life by UK Athletics earlier this year after failing a drugs test for excessive levels of testosterone in 1997. It was his second doping offence. Ironically, he had requested the test because he was preparing to return to the sport after serving a four-year ban imposed in 1994. He tested positive for a cocktail of steroids at that summer's European Championships and, after the result was made public, was sent home in disgrace from the Commonwealth Games in Victoria. Edwards has maintained his innocence for the last six years and even fought an expensive legal battle in the High Court to have his original four-year ban overthrown on the grounds that it constituted a restraint of trade under European law. Following his 1997 test he claimed that the urine sample he provided was mishandled and that there were discrepancies in the documentation. The British Memorial 10km Road Race, planned for the centre of London on July 30, was cancelled yesterday after a major sponsor withdrew support. The race, which was launched at the House of Commons in January, was hoping to raise around £2 million for the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and the British Red Cross. Organisers said the event would be relaunched next year. Eamonn Condon Phoenix, AZ Check out the Jumpstart Athletics Canadian National Throws Rankings for complete rankings in the throws. If you have news, results or info please let us know by using our submission form or emailing Larry Steinke [ MEET INFORMATION ] [ ANALYSIS & TIPS ] [ THROWS ARTICLES ] [ INTERVIEWS ] [ RECORDS ] [ RESULTS ] [ CLASSIFIEDS ] [ HOT LINK ARCHIVE ] [ DISCUSSION FORUM ] [ SUBMISSIONS ] [ THROWERS QUIZ ] [ GUESTBOOK ] | ||