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Defending Stawell Gift champion Allen forced to withdraw

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The defending champion of Australia's richest foot race -- the 120m Stawell Gift -- has been charged with importing steroids just days ahead of this year's race.

Victoria Police spokesman Senior Constable Wayne Wilson confirmed yesterday a 30-year-old man from Toowoomba in Queensland state was arrested in Melbourne following a joint operation between his group and the Australian Customs service.

Local media reports said that man was Nathan Allen, who was charged with knowingly importing anabolic substances -- alleged to be amounts of nandrolone, testosterone and a third substance -- and a Victorian state charge of attempting to possess a drug of dependence.

He was released on bail to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

Local media said Allen was arrested shortly after appearing at the official race launch yesterday at the State Library in Melbourne. An Athletics Australia spokesman said it was aware that an entrant in this year's Gift had been charged, but would not identify him.

Stawell Gift * The Gift is Australia's richest foot race, with a first prize of US$37,200. * The race is run at Central Park in Stawell, Victoria. * The final takes place on Easter Monday.

Allen later withdrew from defending his title.

"In the light of recent events involving myself in regards to a police matter I think it is in everyone's best interests and especially that of the Stawell Gift if I stood down from competing in this year's event," Allen said.

"I believe it is wrong for me to compete until the conclusion of these police matters is heard. I truly hope that this year's event can be a success and I am sorry for the negative press that this affair has created," he said.

Allen won last year's Gift off a handicap of 5.25m in a time of 12.35 seconds. His handicap mark -- the distance by which his start is advanced from the 120m start -- was brought in to 2.25m for this year's race.

The heats of the race will be run at Central Park in the regional Victoria state town of Stawell on Saturday, with the semi-finals and final taking place on Easter Monday. The winner of the race receives A$40,000 (US$37,200).
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