– Niall Kelly reports from Riocentro, Rio de Janeiro
IRELAND’S BOXING TEAM finally broke their silence on the Michael O’Reilly drugs scandal on Sunday, but head coach Zaur Antia’s brief comments on the controversy did little to clear up the confusion.
O’Reilly is understood to have lodged an official appeal against his failed test, but there are conflicting reports as to whether or not the Portlaoise middleweight will ask for his B sample to be tested.
Nor is it clear when his case will be heard.
Both the Irish Amateur Boxing Association and the Olympic Council of Ireland have said they will make no further comment until the legal process has run its course.
Meanwhile O’Reilly’s scheduled Olympic debut next Friday is fast approaching with no indication if the 23-year-old, who is currently under provisional suspension and not allowed to train, will be cleared to take part or sent home from Rio.
“I can’t say anything at the moment,” Antia said. “I don’t know anything about this.
“All I know is that Ireland always has zero tolerance for that issue. I am only focusing on looking after the rest (of the team).”
He reiterated: “Zero tolerance towards doping. As always, Ireland has a good resolution to fight against this.
We don’t know what happened yet but we will see what happens later.
Antia’s comments came after Ireland’s first man into the ring at these Games, Steven Donnelly, scored a convincing unanimous win to progress to the last 16 of the welterweight division.
“It’s just old news for us now,” the Ballymena boxer said when asked how the controversy had affected the team.
“We each have to concentrate on our own game. What happens, happens.
“That’s what we’re working for. We’re all concentrating on our own games and it doesn’t affect us at all really.
“We’re a strong team and we know how to deal with these situations.”
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