02/01/13

UK Anti-Doping has today confirmed that Ian Burns has been banned from all competition for four years under the UK Athletics anti-doping rules.

Mr Burns, a javelin thrower and coach, was found to have committed multiple anti-doping rule violations as a result of information being passed on to UK Anti-Doping’s Intelligence Unit by Durham police.

On 20 November 2012, the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) found Mr Burns guilty of possession of multiple substances including stanozolol, testosterone and human growth hormone, as well as guilty of use and attempted use of substances including methandienone, stanozolol, testosterone, nandrolone, human growth hormone and tamoxifen.

He is banned from all competition from 19 May 2012 until midnight on 19 May 2016 and the NADP has also ordered that all his results obtained from 1 September 2010 until 31 August 2011 are disqualified.

Durham police raided Mr. Burns’ home in autumn 2011 in relation to non-doping related offences, and in the course of that raid discovered significant amounts of substances banned under the World Anti-Doping Code. Mr. Burns admitted to the Durham police that these were for his own use, and he was not prosecuted in respect of those substances.

UK Anti-Doping Chief Executive Andy Parkinson said: “This case could not have come about without the help of Durham Constabulary who provided us with the necessary information to pursue an anti-doping rule violation.

“Possession of banned substances is a serious offence, particularly in light of the fact that Mr Burns acts as a coach and personal trainer, reflected by the length of ban the independent panel chose to hand down. This case reiterates the fact that the rules of doping are not confined to testing and that we will continue to work with partners to ensure that clean athletes are protected.”