Athletics Coach Dr George Skafidas Receives Lifetime Ban from All Sport

Estimated read time 4 min read

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) today confirmed that a former athletics coach Dr George Skafidas, has received a lifetime ban from all sport following nine Anti-Doping Rule Violations.

Skafidas previously was a UK Athletics licensed coach and ran a training group for young athletes at the Princess Royal Sports Arena in Lincolnshire. The nine violations related to his conduct with international sprinter Bernice Wilson.

In May and June 2011 Dr Skafidas administered testosterone and other Prohibited Substances to Bernice Wilson, which resulted in the athlete testing positive following an in-competition test at the Bedford International Games on 12 June 2011.

At a hearing before a National Anti-Doping Panel on 12 and 13 September 2011, Dr Skafidas represented Ms Wilson and knowingly provided false information to the Panel. Following that hearing Ms Wilson was banned from all sport for four years.

In January and February 2015, before Ms Wilson’s return to sport, Dr Skafidas again administered Prohibited Substances to her. Despite not being eligible to compete, Ms Wilson was still subject to Anti-Doping Regulations and following an out-of-competition test on 12 February 2015 Ms Wilson tested positive for clomiphene.

Dr Skafidas then proceeded to subvert the doping control process by removing and concealing a Notice of Charge sent to Ms Wilson by UKAD and knowingly provided a false account to UKAD during his interview in Greece on 10 June 2015.

Dr Skafidas receives his lifetime ban after admitting to all nine charges which include:
1. Administration of one or more of the following Prohibited Substances to Bernice Wilson:
• testosterone
• clenbuterol
• stanozolol
• ephedrine

2. Possession of one or more of the following Prohibited Substances by an Athlete Support Person:
• testosterone
• clenbuterol
• stanozolol
• ephedrine

3. Trafficking one or more of the following Prohibited Substances:
• testosterone
• clenbuterol
• stanozolol
• ephedrine

4. Tampering by knowingly providing false information in a hearing on 12 and 13 September 2011 before a National Anti-Doping Panel

5. Administration of one or more of the following Prohibited Substances to Bernice Wilson:
• clomiphene
• stanozolol

6. Possession of one or more of the following Prohibited Substances by an Athlete Support Person:
• clomiphene
• stanozolol

7. Trafficking one or more of the following Prohibited Substances:
• clomiphene
• stanozolol

8. Tampering by knowingly removing a letter addressed to Bernice Wilson which was sent in the course of Anti-Doping proceedings in April 2015

9. Tampering by providing a false account in an interview with representatives of UK Anti-Doping on 10 June 2015

Ms Wilson was charged with a second anti-doping rule violation following her positive test for clomiphene in February 2015. As a result of her prompt admission and the Substantial Assistance she has given UKAD, Ms Wilson will receive a 75% reduction in her sanction, from 40 months to 10 months.

Ms Wilson’s ineligibility from all sport runs from 12 February 2015 to 11 December 2015.

UKAD Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead said:

“This case is not only incredibly disturbing but sad. Here is a coach who set-up and ran a training group for young and talented athletes; athletes like Bernice who had a bright and promising future in the sport. He was put into a position of trust, he abused that trust and as a result categorically destroyed a career.

“Dr Skafidas had a personal relationship with the athlete and she was clearly under his influence. Yet despite this relationship and instead of protecting and nurturing her career, he took calculated and deceptive steps that not only destroyed it but that also put her life in danger.

“Athlete Support Personnel have a huge responsibility to guide their athletes onto the right path of competing clean. Yet here is a coach who blatantly chose the wrong path and therefore it is absolutely right that Dr Skafidas receive a lifetime ban. He and others like him, have absolutely no place in sport.

“I applaud the bravery of Bernice Wilson for coming forward to speak to us. I would encourage anyone with information, no matter how big or small, to come forward and tell us what they know in confidence via reportdoping.com.”

You May Also Like

More From Author

174Comments

Add yours
  1. 132
    Vicky

    I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.

    The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish.

    nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering
    the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield
    this increase.

  2. 133
    Larhonda

    Great items from you, man. I’ve have in mind your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely
    wonderful. I really like what you’ve received right here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which during which you say it.
    You are making it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible.
    I cant wait to read much more from you. That is actually a wonderful web site.

  3. 134
    Malcolm

    Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after reading through some of the post I realized
    it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy
    I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  4. 137
    Shannan

    This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post.
    Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!

  5. 140
    Jana

    Hello this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know
    if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
    I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise
    so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
    Any help would be enormously appreciated!

  6. 141
    Joanna

    Fantastic post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject?
    I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
    Many thanks!

  7. 144
    Larhonda

    When someone writes an article he/she retains the
    plan of a user in his/her mind that how a user can understand
    it. Therefore that’s why this piece of writing is
    amazing. Thanks!

  8. 145
    Finlay

    Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone
    during lunch break. I love the information you present here and can’t wait to
    take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded
    on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
    Anyways, superb site!

  9. 149
    Mike

    Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I in finding It really helpful &
    it helped me out a lot. I am hoping to provide one thing again and aid others like you aided me.

  10. 150
    Barb

    Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book
    in it or something. I think that you could do
    with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this
    is excellent blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.

  11. 151
    Delia

    It’s awesome to go to see this website and reading the views of all mates about this piece of writing, while I am also keen of getting familiarity.

  12. 152
    Estelle

    When someone writes an paragraph he/she maintains the plan of a
    user in his/her mind that how a user can know it.
    Therefore that’s why this article is great. Thanks!

  13. 155
    Glen

    I like what you guys are up too. This type of clever
    work and reporting! Keep up the great works guys I’ve included you guys to my
    personal blogroll.

  14. 156
    Mickie

    When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove people from that service?

    Bless you!

  15. 158
    Thanh

    It is the best time to make a few plans for the longer term
    and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this publish and if I could I wish to recommend you some attention-grabbing things
    or tips. Perhaps you can write subsequent articles relating to this article.
    I wish to learn more issues about it!

  16. 161
    Glenn

    Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment but
    after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say excellent blog!

  17. 171
    에볼루션사이트

    Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much approximately this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some to power the message home a little bit, however other than that, this is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.

Leave a Reply to also visit Cancel reply