Edgar

Unfortunately the substance in the medication is also a strong anti inflammatory and is often used to aid recovery and administered on its own for that purpose. AFIAK the athlete got prescribed by his GP, both should have been more careful or just not raced so soon after the medication. The other hand, if he was guilty of intentional doping and just had a convenient excuse he got off very lightly. We would/will never know.

That is just unlucky, poor bugger.

It does cost money to defend oneself, but what is the price of your good name? I know sometimes the resources are just not available. This happens everyday in our courts of law though and it can be a bitter pill. As for the exact process, I'm not qualified to answer that. I haven't been through the process, only know people that have been. I can speak to Fahmy Ghalant at SAIDS and ask him though. I'm glad we can have constructive discussion on this inflammatory subject. There is one athlete the served a three week ban just after Epic made the life ban announcement for a positive in the previous year. For some medication to assist with a chest cold. No more epic. Is this fair? Probably not, but them be the rules. We should be asking CSA for further comment on this situation.

From my understanding you cannot be held responsible for ingesting things that are not declared on the label. If you can prove that what you tested positive for is in the medication you are taking and it is not listed you will be allowed to continue business as usual. That being said, if you need medication for health reasons should you be pushing your body to the brink racing and competing?

Agree with you that education needs to improve and I believe responsibility falls to both parties. You are correct in pointing out that it is difficult to know all the names of the substances and that can make it difficult. As it stands though the burden of responsibility does lie with the athletes. They would need to lobby the relevant groups to get this changed. That is however the frame work you have to live with when taking up sport. Righ or Wrong. With regards to Dischem and the Kid that bought any supplement, for the last few years Discham have implemented Safe Supplements thttp://http://dischem.co.za/articles/17240-safe-supplements/16976-choose-safe- to assist with this. There is also the Trusted by Sport symbol which will give you comfort when choosing supplements. If there is cross contamination, you should be able to prove it. I personally would advise athletes to take a photo of the barcode and batch no. of all supplements they take to keep as a record. There are enough athletes that have got off with this defense in the last few years to prove that it does work. WADA and SAIDS could be more involved with organisations like LGC and Trusted by Sport to assist athletes, they do publish a booklet of illegal substances. Again, ingredients are given different names and generics are not always covered. In the last few months 3 cyclists have had AAF and I see some EFC guy (not my thing so can't really comment) all three of the cyclists I would class as high profile, so hardly sacrificial lambs here. And yes, I think it is sending out a very strong message, be careful, don't dope and if you do and we catch you. The punishment will follow. Ignorance cannot be an excuse, and we still don't know what RC's punishment is going to be. I'm making these comments from what is in the public domain at this point. Athletes are always given the opportunity to defend themselves, if they are not happy with this process they still have the option of going to CAS. (I'm not debating whether this is a realistic option for SA athletes) I would really like to see more transparency from WADA, SAIDS, CSA and the UCI. they owe that to the the athlete and to the us the general public.

I'm no expert, but following your line of thinking. You would think that all results from the start of the ban are null and void, therefore requiring the athlete to #paybackthemoney As for the partners in those races, they would also need to #paybackthemoney. Did they get told by the athlete after she was notified? Did they race with her knowing the potential for a DQ down the line? There is a further point to consider. What is a podium at Epic, Sani, J2C, SA's etc worth to the individuals that did not get the recognition at the time? Not only the prize money but their ability to market themselves to potential sponsors and partners for future races.

Cool, what about the process don't you trust? That part where the athlete is responsible? The way the rules are applied? The people responsible for the process? If this is the case, which people? Or is there another part of the process you are not happy with? Thanks

Raptor, do you know something the rest of us don't? if so, please fill us in. It would be nice to have some light shed on this You are pretty vociferous in your defense of the athlete, which suggests you do know more than the rest of us. And in response based on what is in the public domain. The responsibility sits with the athlete, so it is their bungle. The UCI ban is final, meaning the athlete had the opportunity to represent their case. UCI still found against the athlete. The evidence that was presented may have lead to a reduced sentence, not in the public domain. We have not heard from the Athlete at this point. There is no comments column. Yet.

Can you clarify what you mean in the last part?

As far as I'm aware, this is the final UCI ruling. (This has nothing to do with SAIDS or CSA) She would have had an opportunity to make representations to them and however else was involved. Any and all of these circumstances would have been presented by her you would assume, at the very least she would have had the opportunity to do so. And looking at the TL of events and the announcement this has been an ongoing process for some time. As with Mr Impey, mitigating circumstances are consider when sentencing. Until we are given further information as with Mr Croeser and MR Evans it is all speculation and conjecture.

Why are the scenarios not the same? It is against the anti-doping rules. O Grady had to withdraw from a TdF for using a cortizone cream administered by the race doctor during a stage from the medical vehicle after a bee sting. (Lets ignore his much later confession for other infractions) As for part two: Medicating for quality of life or survival is not an offence, agreed. Competing at any level in a sanctioned event with prohibited substances is a doping offence. Which is sanctionable if your are caught.

This is slightly off topic, but maybe a guideline around it. There is a list published with prohibited substances which is readily available. As an athlete, weekend warrior to superstar, it is your ultimate responsibility to know what goes into it. If you contravene anything on the list or in the rules of the event you could face a sanction. If you are caught, you will likely be sanctioned. Intent or lack thereof is not a mitigating circumstance. (in most cases, and certainly not worth relying on) Some people are unlucky and some intentionally cheat, the rules cannot accommodate for this as it will create loop holes. Intent or not, your actions have consequences and the rules are straight forward.

Gen, as somebody that has been in the position I can tell you. Withdraw or apply for Emergency treatment TUE. Now here is a cracker for you, I am highly allergic to bee stings and have been through immunization treatment. I have anti histamine and/or an epi pen with me most of the time. Another sport and a long time ago. I competed in SA Champs and finished on the podium, it was qualifier for World Champs. As I completed the event I was met by SAIDS and informed to do a drug control. While walking to Doping Control I was stung, in sight of doping control agent. Big dilemma, use any prohibited substances and DQ myself or not? No podium and no World Champs. I was lucky enough to be able to complete the doping control quickly enough before the severe reaction began and was then able to administer the required medicine and be monitored by race paramedics. Tests came back all clean and all is well that ends well. I have subsequently be stung in an event took appropriate medical action, got to the nearest support station and informed them I has withdrawing and the reason for the withdrawal. Anybody that has coughed a lung up for EPIC and are in a similar situation you have a choice. Race or do not race. If you choose to race, get tested and have a positive without the requisite approvals. You are a doper, intent aside. Them be the rules, harsh or not.

Those geriatrics are the worst.

Is that the look you reserve for the ICG group?

It is not a strong look.

Sensitive much?

Then why not do it now? SAIDS and KE should issue more detailed statements. IMO. Consider the given TL, the Emma Letter and the sanctioned ABP start date. As an aside, I see the Old Coot quietly removed his twatter feed. Again. Maybe it was hurting Rush Sports reputation?

Once If we ever get TL from SAIDS, then we can look at the facts around this case. Such as when was KE informed and from how long have they been discussing this. Could something (retiring) be linked to something else? If so, it is not a case of being retired and getting a Hey Surprise. If not, then SAIDS are johnny come lately.

While we are on the topic. Anybody know when RC is going to be sentenced and any idea why the delay? Is there more to this than meets the eye or am I being overly sensitive?

They did their best to sweep it under the carpet while pretending to discuss it. They then had a feature which include Roel Paulissen and sung his praises. Ex doper, who came back to the EPIC a few weeks after his doping banned was lifted and then his EPIC partner gets bust. They had a feature on a local race and the new team Telkom and sung Nolan Hoffmans praises, ex doper. Are we surprised it continues? Altech team hired a doper and weeks after his ban was lifted went and race J2C, and have stated their target race for the year is J2C. Are we surprised it continues? How many Ex Dopers get welcomed back with open arms bu sponsirs, fellow 'pros", race organisers and Fanboi's. And we surprised it continues? The media needs to play their part in ostracizing these Dopers. No coverage, no value.

So till 2017. Maybe.

I think you got the wrong end of the stick. LB was saying that KE posted the pic on KE's IG account, DL responded and that is how the fiaaahhht started boet.

Unlike some of the other magazines that turn one blind eye. I notice one in particular has been very quiet. Nobody asking when RC will be sentenced? Nobody picked up that some top riders haven't done much racing of lately?

Look on KE's IG account time line I doubt the Lance is Theo