Brazilian surfer Raoni Monteiro has been suspended for 20 months after testing positive to performance-enhancing drugs. The news came in form of a press release from the WSL last Friday, May 8.
According to the WSL, Monteiro tested positive while competing at the Billabong Pipe Masters in December of last year. His suspension has been in effect since December 12, 2014 and he will be banned from competing in any WSL events until August of 2016.
“Subsequent investigations by the WSL Discipline Director have received full cooperation from Monteiro and his representatives, said the WSL. “The investigation, inclusive of discussion with the athlete, determined that while the use of a Prohibited Substance was “unintentional” and prescribed by a physician, Monteiro still violated the WSL Anti-Doping Policy.”
In the press release Monteiro states, “I made an honest mistake but there are rules to follow and I broke them. I am looking forward to working hard with the time out of competition, getting back to my best and competing again next year”.
It’s not the first time a professional surfer has faced disciplinary action for using performance-enhancing drugs. In 2005 Brazilian CT veteran, Neco Padaratz, was suspended from competing in ASP events after he tested positive for anabolic steroids. Padaratz argued at the time that the steroid was used to treat an ongoing back injury.