MICHAEL O’REILLY HAS this evening admitted he unintentionally took a supplement that may have contained a banned substance in the lead up to the Olympic Games.
The 23-year-old middleweight fighter received a provisional suspension for failing a doping test before leaving for Rio.
In a statement to RTÉ via his legal representatives, O’Reilly disclosed that he received the supplement from ‘someone unrelated to his team or association’ and informed Sport Ireland of the supplement at the time of the test.
The Portlaoise boxer, who was due to open his Olympic campaign on Friday, apologised to his team-mates, the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA), Sport Ireland and the Olympic Council of Ireland.
“Mr O’Reilly received notification on 4 August 2016 that an adverse finding had been made against him,” the statement reads.
“The adverse finding arises out of a matter which was not deliberate or intentional.
“Having received further information, Mr O’Reilly now freely admits that he unintentionally took a supplement that may have contained a prohibited substance. Mr O’Reilly was given this supplement by someone unrelated to his team or association.
“Michael O’Reilly disclosed, at the time of the test, that he had taken the supplement.
“Mr O’Reilly offers his sincere apology to his fellow boxers, team mates, the Irish Athletic Boxing Association, Sport Ireland, the Olympic Council of Ireland and to all those who have supported him.”
O’Reilly lodged a formal appeal against his provisional suspension last weekend but the Olympic Council of Ireland has confirmed that he is no longer contesting the ban.
“The OCI can today confirm that Michael O’Reilly is no longer contesting the provisional suspension imposed on him on the 4 August 2016 and will not compete for Team Ireland at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. No further communication will be made on the matter.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
