Former GB sprinter Wilson lifts lid on harrowing impact of doping in sport

Bernice Wilson knows better than anyone the devastating effects of doping in sport so when she speaks, it is worth listening. The former GB sprinter served two separate bans for anti-doping rule violations, the second of which came after she was administered prohibited substances without her knowledge by her then-coach and boyfriend Dr George Skafidas. Ad/> While Skafidas was eventually banned for life by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) back in 2016, the malign influence that he had on Wilson's career and life in general endured.

AthleticsJeptum smashes Paris Marathon course record as well as own personal best03/04/2022 AT 09:32 When he returned to his native Greece after receiving the ban, Wilson was left to foot the bill for her legal costs, while also rebuilding her reputation and recovering from the domestic abuse suffered at his hands with the support of family, friends, the Nottinghamshire Police and UKAD. She explains: «When my results came back positive, it made everything very negative for me. It had a very big impact on my reputation.

I was well-known locally within Boston in Lincolnshire where I was based. I was seen as a role model to younger athletes. »When it was found that I was guilty of doping, I had financial difficulties as well.

I only really finished paying off my solicitor's fees last year. I lost my job at the time as a sports development officer. I ended up without a job for about a couple of weeks to a month and then I started working for the NHS.

«There is a bigger story. I was very influenced by my coach who I was also in a relationship with as well. It was really messy because there was domestic violence involved.