Hinrik Ingi Oskarsson and Bergur Sverrisson took 1st and 2nd place, respectively, at the Nike Iceland Throwdown 2016 last week. But following the event, both were asked to submit a drug test in which both refused to provide samples.
The Icelandic CrossFit Association (CFSI) deemed that refusing to submit a sample was the same as testing positive and have since stripped both Oskarsson and Sverrisson of the results. In a statement made by CFSI, all competitors have consented to undergo drug tests during competitions and up to 12 months following the conclusion of an event.
Both competitors have been banned from all CrossFit competitions held by CFSI for a period of two years. Additionally, both athletes have been banned at all CrossFit affiliates in Iceland for the same time period.
Following this announcement, Bjorgvin Gudmunddson, the 3rd Fittest Man in the World in 2015, posted a statement via Instagram. While he does not explicitly say that he was questioned why he did not participate in the event, it sounds like some may have wondered if he skipped the event to avoid drug testing.
Gudmunddson’s statement:
In the light of the recently finished Icelandic Championships in CrossFit and results of drug testing I would like to make a few things clear:
I did not participate in the Icelandic championships this year since I just recently came back from Canada, where I was competing at the CF invitationals on behalf of team Europe. I decided to prioritize and let my body recover for upcoming competition in Dubai next week. The schedule was simply to tight to add in the Icelandic championships as well.
I have been drug tested 7 times in the 4 years I have been competing in CrossFit and all have been negative:
1. 2014 Crossfit European Regionals – All qualifying spots where tested.
2. 2014 CrossFit Games – random pick for drug testing
3. 2014 Christmas competition LSÍ in Hafnafjordur, Iceland- I was not competing but as spectator.
4. 2015 CrossFit European regionals – All qualifying spots were tested.
5. 2015 Crossfit Games – All top spots were tested.
6. 2015 LSÍ (weightlifting federation) drug tested in Iceland while coaching at CF Hengill – Random drug testing from ÍSÍ (Icelandic sports association)
7. 2016 Crossfit Regionals- All top spots where tested.
In addition to that I have competed in Olympic weightlifting twice at Reykjavik international, two times at the Nordic championships, once at the small nations competition, once at Icelandic championships as well as 3 other competition held by the Icelandic weightlifting association where I could have been drug tested and would gladly have done so if asked to.
I have always showed up to and passed every drugtest I have been asked to take, I can be tested any time, anywhere, randomly or not. With this I want to declare my support towards drug testing in CrossFit as well as any other sport.
PED is a part of most sports and there will always be people who try to find shortcuts to get further. Don’t get tempted. You get what you work for.
David Bjorsson moved to 1st place and Stefan Helgi Einarsson moved to 2nd place following the disqualifications. Haraldur Holgersson took 3rd.
CrossFit Games veteran Thuridur Erla Helgadottir won the Open Female division.
