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Morgan Foster Photo: Surf Life Saving NZ
Former world champion surf life guard Morgan Foster has been banned from all sport for three years for the possession and trafficking of multiple banned substances.
In September last year, Customs intercepted a parcel to Foster containing a mixture of peptides including substances to increase growth hormone secretion and some experimental substances - all of which are banned in sport.
Foster admitted to breaching anti-doping rules saying he purchased the substances for another person intending to help them manage an injury.
The Sports Tribunal has imposed a sanction of three years ineligibility based on Foster's early admission and the low level of seriousness of the trafficking violation.
"We are disappointed to hear one of our members was found to have violated World Anti-Doping Agency rules. A fair playing field is a foundation of all sporting competitions, and we accept the findings reached by the Sports Tribunal," Surf Life Saving New Zealand general manager Zac Franich said.
Foster previously captained the New Zealand team at the World Lifesaving Championships, won numerous national Beach Flag titles and is a former World Beach Flags champion.
He also competed in athletics at a national level as a sprinter.
Athletics New Zealand chief executive Cam Mitchell endorsed the ban.
"Safety, fairness, and integrity are the foundations of our sport, and we support all efforts that help protect these values at every level of athletics."
Sport Integrity Commission general counsel Paul O'Neil said the tribunal decided on a three-year sanction based on the athlete's early admission and the low level of seriousness of the violation.
But he emphasised the threat to health posed by the substances.
"It's disappointing to see an athlete importing banned substances - even more so when the intention is to distribute those substances to a third party.
"Such actions can not only threaten the health of athletes but also compromise the integrity of sport.
"The misuse of banned substances can have serious health consequences for those who use them.
"That's why the Sports Anti-Doping Rules exist, to protect those who play sport and ensure a level playing field."
