Home > News > Doping Control >

Turkish oil wrestlers engulfed in doping scandals

2013-08-13 17:41 Xinhuanet

ANKARA, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Over 16 Turkish oil wrestlers tested positive in anti-doping tests and faced suspension penalty, Turkish media reported on Monday.

The report said Turkey's oil wrestling champion Ali Gurbuz is among the wrestlers facing a two-year suspension from the traditional Turkish sport in which wrestlers are greased up with olive oil.

The Turkish Wrestling Federation did not comment on the report but the mayor of Turkey's Edirne province where the main annual Kirkpinar oil wrestling competitions are held, told reporters that Gurbuz would be stripped of his title and that he would return the contest's prize money.

It is the latest doping scandal that has hit Turkish sports in recent months.

In the past two weeks, the Turkish Athletics Federation suspended 40 athletes for two years for doping violations. The Federation is also investigating alleged doping by Asli Cakir Alptekin, the women's 1,500-meter champion at the 2012 Olympics, and two other team members.