Sydney, Australia - ONE of Australia's most promising boxers is facing a two-year ban for refusing to take a drug test because of his Islamic faith.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal reigning under-19 Australian amateur middleweight weight champ Omar Shaick declined to provide a urine sample under supervision of testing officers.
In what is believed to be the first case of its kind in Australia, the Lebanese Muslim 18-year-old informed Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority testers his religion prevented followers from exposing their genitals to others.
Shaick is now set to be outed for a mandatory two years and stripped of his title, pending an upcoming hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
But with the Brisbane-based boxer preparing to argue that practising Muslims be allowed to submit urine samples in private, the case has the potential to rock drug-testing procedures across the globe.
The World Anti-Doping Agency now insists all urine tests be supervised after athletes were caught providing false samples from syringes and bottles.
Millions of Islamic athletes world-wide are forced to adhere in conflict with their faith.
A deeply-religious Shaick, however, steadfastly refused to let ASADA officials witness him giving a sample during a random sting on Brisbane's Logan City Boxing Gym two months ago.
He since went on to defeat NSW's Leroy Brown by a point to take the 75kg under-19 title at the National Amateur Championships in Darwin on July 22.
Also a junior Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Shaick this week declined to discuss his stance.
His trainer Chris McCullen stressed Shaick had nothing to gain by avoiding the test.
"It's not as if he's a drug cheat – Omar refused to do the test purely on the basis of his religious beliefs," McCullen said.
"He's the cleanest living kid you will ever meet.
"When the testers came he asked them if there was any other way it could be done. He was willing to take a blood test, give hair, skin . . . whatever.
"He just could not have them stare at his genitals."
According to McCullen, Shaick spent more than an hour pleading with testers to compromise.
"He asked if they could frisk him and then let him give the sample with his back turned," McCullen said.
"They said it could not happen."
Concerned about the consequences, Shaick sought advice from Dr Mohammed Abdullah – an imam at his local mosque – the following day.
Abdullah confirmed Shaick's stance was "consistent with" the Islamic tenant of modesty, Haya, which also dictates the wearing of hijabs and lowering the gaze.
"Unless it's extremely necessary, or an emergency, one must not expose their private parts in front of others," Abdullah, also director of Griffith University's Islamic Research Unit, said.
"He was uncomfortable with that.
"This is the first time I've come across a case like this.
"It becomes a personal choice. He is aware of the possible consequences and told me himself he is willing to ultimately take the ban."
ASADA declined to comment on the case. The Daily Telegraph, however, understands it has already sent the court a letter as prosecuting agent in preparation for a trial.
The CAS hearing is expected to commence within the next month. A spokesman for the court confirmed any decision was binding and there was no appeal procedure.
Despite the fact proceedings are impending, Boxing Australia has permitted Shaick to continue to fight until a final verdict is delivered.
McCullen said: "We are pretty confident nothing should come of it.
"He's the most strictly religious kid I've ever come across."