As a result of a positive drug test the International Surfing Association (ISA) has stripped Australian surfer Mark Richardson of the Gold medal he won in the Master’s division of the  2011 ISA World Championship that was held Punta Roca, in El Salvado.  Puerto Rico’s Carlos Cabrero has been awarded the gold medal for the event.

Richardson tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), exceeding the maximum level under the WADA Code in force at that time. He received a three-month sanction, which has been completed.

“The ISA has been conducting drug tests at every ISA World Championship since 1992. Since then, the ISA has conducted over 600 drug tests, including to all finalists at all our World Championships, and this is the first gold medalist who has tested positive,” underlined Fernando Aguerre, ISA president.

The ISA is a signatory of the WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) Code and, as a result, is required to conduct drug tests at all ISA World Championships. And while it all seems rather ludicrous for an over 35 year old surfer to be done for weed, two years after the event (whilst competing in Central America for chrissakes) on a more serious note Richardson held coaching posts in the Australian Surfing Association, and the ruling will affect his livelihood.

Any anyway, shouldn’t everyone just smoke a joint and chill out, man.