SOUTH AFRICANS BATTLE MARIJUANA USE AMONG SPORTSMEN

CAPE TOWN - South African sportsmen and women show 'worrying' levels of
marijuana use according to The South African Institute for Drug Free Sport.

"Marijuana was only placed on the banned substance list in January
this year," Daphne Bradbury, chief executive of the body, told Reuters.

"What we have found is that there are a high number of cannabis users
among athletes across the board in South Africa.

"Although marijuana is not considered performance enhancing it is
considered dangerous to the athlete's health and it also contravenes
the ethics of sport." Bradbury would not reveal exact figures or names.

"About 1.4 percent of all athletes we tested failed drug tests,"
Bradbury said.

"What athletes don't realise is that marijuana stays in your system
for up to three weeks."

According to new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations, athletes
face a maximum ban of two years for marijuana use.

Various sporting bodies in South Africa have dismissed the findings,
saying marijuana use is not a widespread problem.