23-05-2025
Surf lifesaving veteran banned for importing prohibited substances
A veteran surf lifesaving athlete has been banned from all sport for three years by the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand for possessing and trafficking multiple banned substances.
NZ Customs intercepted a parcel addressed to Morgan Foster on September 30 last year which contained tesamorelin, ipamorelin, BPC-157 and TB-500.
These substances were a mixture of peptides — substances that increase growth hormone secretion and experimental substances.
Foster, who had competed in at least 28 Surf Lifesaving Championships, admitted he had purchased the substances and breached anti-doping rules.
A sanction of three years' ineligibility was imposed, based on Foster's early admission and the low level of seriousness of the trafficking violation.
Sports Integrity Commission general counsel Paul O'Neil said it was "disappointing" for an athlete to import banned substances, especially when the intention was to distribute them to a third party.
"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."
Surf Life Saving NZ general sport manager Zac Franich also said the organisation was "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."
