An Italian distance runner has been accused of using a fake penis to dodge a drugs test over the weekend.
Devis Licciardi, who runs for the Italian Air Force team, took part in a 10,000 metre road race in Molfetta, Italy, last weekend, and that is where the revelations arose.
The penis impersonating devise, known as Whizzinator, was filled up with clean urine to avoid giving a true sample.
The news came from Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA). A spokesperson commented: “Devis Licciardi, an athlete for the Italian Air Force team, allegedly filled up a fake penis with urine uncontaminated by banned substances and tried to use it during a test at the race to proclaim Italy ‘s 10km road-running champion at Molfetta, near Bari. “
Licciardi, a sub-30 minute 10,000 metre runner at best, is now under investigation and will travel to Rome where he will face disciplinary proceedings.
The World Anti-Doping Agency will hold its next Conference on Doping in Sports from November 12-15, in Johannesburg. Until then, Licciardi’s case will be dealt with by the Comitato Olimpico Nationale Italiano, the Italian Olympic Committee.
In the beginning of September Licciardi competed in the 49th Palio Citta della Querci, and finished in last place over 5,000 metres with a time of 13 minutes 59.16 seconds.
The peculiar devise is relatively unknown, but this is not the first case of its kind.
Unrelated to running, a St.Louis man was caught using the contraption in March, he also faces felony charges for doing so.
The Whizzinator can be purchased online and mailed discreetly for personal use.
