Baseball rocked by dope probe

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-14 08:22

A Chinese Taipei baseball player was banned yesterday from participating in the team's first Olympic game after failing a drug test.

Chinese Taipei Baseball Association Secretary-General Lin Tsung-cheng said third baseman Chang Tai-shan did not suit up for yesterday's opener against the Netherlands after the International Olympic Committee informed the association of the test results.

South Korea's second baseman Ko Young-min makes the throw to fist after tagging out Matt Laporta of the US in the first inning during the game. South Korea won 8-7.

"The IBAF has been advised of a possible anti-doping rule violation by a player from the Chinese Taipei team," the International Baseball Federation said in a statement. "As a result the player Chang Tai-shan has been provisionally suspended pending the analysis of the B sample and a formal hearing."

IOC spokesperson Giselle Davies, added: "The International Baseball Federation has confirmed the test. It was done outside the Olympic period," IOC spokeswoman.

Even without Chang, Chinese Taipei easily beat the Netherlands 5-0.

South Korea stuns USA

On the field, the big surprise yesterday was America's defeat in their opening game to South Korea.

They won 8-7 in a thrilling Olympic baseball opener.

South Korea's Lee Taek-keun's slide home easily beat the throw for the winning run, and he celebrated on his knees for a long while before joining hi jubilant teammates. The South Koreans then tipped their caps to all the enthusiastic fans from their homeland. The supporters were on their feet in the bleachers all night.

The stunned US players quickly moved through the mixed zone without stopping for interviews, despite nearly two dozen reporters calling for them. The Americans had a quick turnaround to face the Netherlands today.

Cuba beats Japan

In the other much-anticipated clash, Cuba beat Japan 4-2 in an opening day thriller marred by the doping controversy that further dimmed baseball's hopes of returning to the Olympic roster.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/14/2008 page15)