The dark side of the powerlifting community The Truth shall set you free.

The dark side of the powerlifting community. 

Statement Regarding the IPL 2023 Drug Tested Worlds in Coventry, England

I am writing this statement in my own words to set out my concerns and recollection of events relating to the IPL Drug Tested Worlds. At the time, I was one of the promoters of the event, President of the British Powerlifting Federation, and Vice President of the IPL.

I believe it is important to explain what I understood to have happened and how we felt at the time. On Day 3 of the tournament, four of us were training in the locked warm-up room. The only people present were myself, some lifters, and one USA official. We were training on one side of the room, while the USA official was training alone in the opposite corner on the squat combo rack. The room was covered by the hotel’s CCTV.

About an hour later, while I was receiving physio in the room, the USA official had left the warm-up area. As I finished, a GB team member Kamron Singh Dadder called me over. He and his father had found two small bags containing what appeared to be white powder on the floor near the USA official’s lifting belt. To our knowledge, no one else had been in that corner apart from the USA official, and the bags were found beside the belt. In front of the witnesses present, I said that I would speak to our Vice President for advice, as I had never encountered anything like this before.

Our Vice President immediately reported the matter to the Executive Board of the USPA/IPL, and photographs of the evidence were also provided.

Our Vice President also contacted the USA official’s superior to investigate the matter. This was done because she worked directly for the sponsoring company and, to our understanding, had previous experience in law enforcement.

To date, we have not received the outcome of that investigation. I have also emailed the company CEO asking why no outcome has been shared with us.

The day after the meet, I suffered a major heart attack. While I was in intensive care, our Vice President submitted notice that we would stop assisting the IPL. This was consistent with a decision we had already made with our team on the first day of the event, when we agreed that we would be leaving the IPL.

Within hours, the head of the IPL stated that I was being removed from my position while I was still in hospital. He did not speak to me directly about these issues.

What disappointed me most was what I felt to be a lack of clear action or communication after the matter was reported to both the board and the company director so it could be properly addressed. We followed the appropriate procedures. Sadly, the board was later terminated after the matter had been reported, which meant it could not take any further action.

Looking back, I wish I had contacted the police immediately. As a family-run organisation, I am deeply concerned that a child could have found small bags containing an unidentified white powder on the floor beside an official’s lifting belt. This was especially troubling because the event was a drug-tested meet, and the items were found inside our venue.

It is very upsetting that the items were found by a father and his son, yet, to my knowledge, no formal investigation, explanation, or witness statements were taken by the then IPL president and owner.

I have always tried to act with honesty and integrity, and my priority has always been to help keep the sport safe for everyone. In my view, when items of this nature were found, the matter had to be reported and addressed appropriately, regardless of anyone’s position or status. I was disappointed that no outcome was shared with us and that the President did not speak to me directly or ask for my account of what happened. Items believed to be of serious concern were found alongside an official’s lifting belt, and I do not believe that can be ignored. We will not tolerate behaviour that puts the safety or reputation of the sport at risk.

I believe our British members and the wider IPL community should be made aware of my account of what happened.

It has taken me some time to come to terms with this, especially after two rounds of heart surgery and ongoing treatment. I want people to understand my account of events. I am grateful that no children were harmed and that the items were found by someone who knew to report them.

At the BPF / WPU, we will always value truth, honesty, and integrity. We are DBS checked and work with schools, colleges, and the wider community. This is not something we wish to be associated with.

I sincerely hope the IPL President takes the appropriate steps to address these issues and restore confidence in the organisation.

We wish him the best of luck in rebuilding the IPL/USPA.

WPU & BPF President

Marcus Griffiths

Disclaimer: This statement reflects my personal recollection and understanding of events. It is provided in good faith and is not intended to make any formal finding of fact or to accuse any individual or organisation of criminal conduct or wrongdoing. Any reference to suspected substances is based on appearance only, and I am not aware of any confirmed test result. Nothing in this statement should be taken as a legal conclusion.