Paul Michael Edwards (born 16 February 1959 in Chiswick, Greater London) is a retired professional athlete who competed in the men's

shot put The shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" (throwing) a heavy spherical ball—the ''shot''—as far as possible. The shot put competition for men has been a part of the modern Olympics since their revival in 1896, and women's ...

event during his career. He competed for both Wales and England during his career and twice represented Great Britain at the

Summer Olympics The Summer Olympic Games (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques d'été), also known as the Games of the Olympiad, and often referred to as the Summer Olympics, is a major international multi-sport event normally held once every four years. The inau ...

: in 1988 and in 1992. Edwards was affiliated with the Walton Athletic Club and Belgrave Harriers in London. He represented Great Britain 43 times and won 11 AAA titles and 5 UK titles. He also represented Great Britain in decathlon and held Welsh national records at shot put, discus and decathlon and won 9 Welsh titles.

Doping

In 1994 Edwards failed two drugs tests. The first sample was from the

1994 European Athletics Championships The 16th European Athletics Championships were held from 7 August to 14 August 1994 in the Olympic Stadium of Helsinki, Finland. Men's results Complete results were published. Track 1986 , 1990 , 1994 , 1998 , 2002 , Field 1986 , 1990 , 199 ...

in Helsinki and was positive for a cocktail of banned substances, including

anabolic steroids Anabolic steroids, also known more properly as anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS), are steroidal androgens that include natural androgens like testosterone as well as synthetic androgens that are structurally related and have similar effects t ...

, raised testosterone and the stimulant

pseudoephedrine Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a sympathomimetic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes. It may be used as a nasal/sinus decongestant, as a stimulant, or as a wakefulness-promoting agent in higher doses. It was first characteri ...

. The second sample was from two days later, home in Britain. Edwards was given a four-year ban from sports for these anti-doping rule violations. In 1997, while he was still banned, he was tested out of competition and was found to be positive for testosterone. He subsequently received a lifetime doping ban. Edwards has previously raised Freedom Of Information Act requests to King's College London to help clear his name; it has also been the subject of parliamentary questions. A legal ruling from the British High Courts of Justice dated 29 November 2013 further substantiates the irregularities which form the basis of Edwards' ongoing efforts to clear his name.

References

1959 births Living people Sportspeople from Chiswick Welsh male shot putters British male shot putters British decathletes Olympic athletes for Great Britain Athletes (track and field) at the 1988 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 1992 Summer Olympics Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for Wales Commonwealth Games medallists in athletics Athletes (track and field) at the 1990 Commonwealth Games Doping cases in athletics British sportspeople in doping cases Medallists at the 1990 Commonwealth Games {{Wales-athletics-bio-stub