Hockey: Banned substance excludes Garcia

Bill Colwill
Monday 06 December 1999 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

RUSSELL GARCIA, the sport's youngest Olympic gold medallist at Seoul in 1988, has been disciplined for allegedly taking a banned substance socially by Great Britain and excluded from their tour party to Australia and New Zealand in January to be announced later this week.

The 29-year-old, who has made 289 international appearances for England and Great Britain and now plays his club hockey in Germany at the Harvestehuder club in Hamburg, was training with Great Britain at Millfield School last week.

The much-travelled Garcia, who started his senior career with the highly successful Havant side, then moved to Barcelona as player-coach to the Polo Club, before going on to The Hague where he played for HDM. For the last couple of years he has been with the German club. Chris Spice, the GB Performance Director, said yesterday: "Hockey is bitterly disappointed. We can say no more at this stage but hope to be able to make a further statement next week."

Peter Weller, Purley Walcountian's captain, had an up-and-down game in his club's top-of-the-table meeting with Beckenham in the South Premier at the weekend.

Weller opened the scoring in the 5th minute and saw Purley go further ahead before three goals from Beckenham's Danny Holmes brought the league leaders back to 3-3. Beckenham's winning goal came from Andy Holmes 10 minutes from time with Purley reduced to 10 men, Weller serving the last of his three temporary suspensions in the match. Beckenham have now opened up a four-point gap at the top.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in