Tyrone Gawthorne arrested on drug possession charges weeks before 2018 Invictus Games Sydney
Tyrone Gawthorne, one of the biggest stars of the 2018 Australian Invictus Games Team, tried to keep his arrest for anabolic steroids and cocaine a secret. He didn’t want it to jeopardize his participation in the 2018 Invictus Games Sydney. And it didn’t. At least not until Gawthorne won the silver medal in the powerlifting competition.
Gawthorne placed second in the Men’s Midweight IP5 powerlifting division with a lift of 171 kilograms at the 2018 Invictus Games on October 23, 2018. Within 24 hours of winning the silver medal, Gawthorne’s secret was exposed.
Tyrone Gawthorne won silver medal in powerlifting at both the 2017 Invictus Games Toronto and 2018 Invictus Games Sydney
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), in its special coverage of the Invictus Games, revealed the details surrounding Gawthorne’s arrest by Queensland Police in (Mooroobool) Cairns a few weeks earlier on September 17, 2018. The big revelation involved the discovery of several bodybuilding-related drugs in addition to two grams of cocaine powder.
Gawthorne admitted that he failed to notify the Australian Invictus Games Team of his arrest. He quit the team and dropped out of the remainder of the Games. In addition to powerlifting, Gawthorne was scheduled to compete in several other events such as the shotput, discus, indoor rowing and swimming events.
“I cannot express how sorry I am for not disclosing to the team that I had been arrested,” Gawthorne told ABC. “I have let down my family and friends and my teammates, and my actions are not in keeping with the spirit of the Games. I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone who has been affected by my actions.”
Gawthorne was busted with Halotestin, Arimidex, Letrozole and Cocaine
Gawthorne was charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs related to seizure of the anabolic steroid fluoxymesterone (Halotestin) and cocaine. He was also charged with two counts of possessing restricted drugs without medical endorsement related to the confiscation of letrozole and anastrozole. (Letrozole and anastrozole are aromatase inhibitors used to manage the estrogen-related side effects of anabolic steroids.)
Gawthorne insisted that he never used “any substance that would unfairly enhance [his] sporting performance at the Games” in spite of the clear evidence that he was in possession of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
Gawthorne was arguably telling the truth given that the Invictus Games does not have an anti-doping policy compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. So, athletes technically are not required to follow anti-doping rules. Nonetheless, Gawthorne may have breached the Invictus Games team code of conduct.
The Invictus Games was created by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in 2014. The sporting event was created for wounded and injured military personnel. The name was inspired by William Ernest Henley’s poem titled “Invictus”. Invictus is the Latin word for “unconquered”.
@WeAreInvictus patron HRH The Duke of Sussex will join tonight's Closing Ceremony to celebrate a week of inspiring competition & camaraderie. HRH The Duchess of Sussex will also speak to pay tribute to the families & friends for their support. #IG2018 @KensingtonRoyal pic.twitter.com/ecr2VirkQ2
— InvictusSydney (@InvictusSydney) October 27, 2018
Gawthorne served in the Australian Defence Force for 12 years from 1999 until 2011. He was deployed to East Timor and Afghanistan on multiple tours while posted to Bravo Company 1st Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR).
Gawthorne was discharged after suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and physical injuries arising form his five tours of duty.
In addition to training and competing for the Invictus Games, Gawthorne owns and operates Clarion Hotel Townsville and the Body Beyond Belief Cairns supplement store.
Gawthorne is scheduled to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court to face the charges in December 2018.
Tyrone Gawthorne, star of Australian Invictus Games Team