Beijing, China – The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) yesterday were informed about an adverse analytical finding (positive laboratory test) of German Wheelchair Basketball player Ahmet Coskun, who failed an out-of-competition test performed by the German National Doping Agency (NADA) on 23 August 2008 during a training camp in Germany. He was tested positive for the prohibited substance of Finasterid, a non-performance enhancement medication.

The German Paralympic Committee immediately banned the athlete from any further competition and has made arrangements for the athlete to be sent home. According to IWBF rules, the outcome has neither an impact on further proceedings of the Wheelchair Basketball event nor the results of the Games in Beijing. The case is going to be further investigated by the German National Doping Agency and IWBF.

The IPC and IWBF appreciate the immediate actions taken by the German National Paralympic Committee in regards to this possible anti-doping rule violation in the sport of Wheelchair Basketball.

As a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC), the IPC and IWBF remain committed to a doping free sporting environment at all levels. The IPC, together with the International Federations and the National Paralympic Committees, established the IPC Anti-Doping Code (January 2004) to prevent in the spirit of fair play, doping in sport for athletes with a disability and in conformity with the general principles of the World Anti-Doping Code.

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Notes to the Editor:

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Founded on 22 September 1989, the IPC is an international non-profit organization formed and run by 162 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management team are located in Bonn, Germany.

For further information, please contact Steffi Klein, IPC Media and Communications Senior Manager, on e-mail: steffi.klein@paralympic.org or go to www.paralympic.org and www.ParalympicSport.TV.