POT OF WOE FOR BOXERS AFTER TEST

Two of Canada's top amateur boxers may lose out on their 2004 Olympic
dreams after testing positive for marijuana. Windsor's Andrew Kooner, a
silver medallist at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, and Sebastien
Gauthier of St-Jerome, Que., who captured a flyweight bronze at the same
Games, tested positive for marijuana as a result of out-of-competition drug
tests on Sept.22 and Sept.20 respectively, The Toronto Sun has learned.

Urine Tests

According to Robert Crete, Canadian Amateur Boxing Association executive
director, the A samples from urine tests conducted on the two boxers came
back positive for the drug. A sanction, ranging from a severe reprimand to
a possible four-year suspension from competition, will be issued by the
international governing body of boxing (AIBA) if the B samples, which will
be opened within the next few days, also come back positive.

"It's tough, they're both in shock," Crete said.

He said the two fighters have denied using marijuana.

"These two athletes are our main hopes for the Olympics," he said. "Our No.
1 boxer, in terms of won-loss ratio, is Kooner. And Sebastien, with a good
draw at the Olympics, could be standing on the podium."

'Taken By Surprise'

What's particularly unsettling to CABA officials is that, according to
Crete, AIBA requested that World Anti-Doping Agency officials target some
members of the Canadian team for so-called recreational drug use.

"We were taken by surprise," Crete said. "We've sent a letter to (AIBA)
asking for some clarification on why exactly they requested that marijuana
be tested on our guys."

There has been major debate on whether marijuana should be on the WADA
banned list, as it is not considered a performance-enhancing drug.

In the meantime, Crete said CABA is hoping that the B samples will come
back negative.

"Have no fear, we'll stand behind our boxers," Crete said. "They've given a
lot to boxing and we don't drop athletes like that."