Brandon Stewart

[Andrew Steer]

The hub is a funny old place...

 

First up I would just like to point out to the hub jury that we have only heard Brandon's side of the story... we all know there are three sides to every story

 

Well done though Brandon for coming on here and giving us your side

If what you have told us is 100% the truth, then I am sure most people can have a fair bit of empathy for you. It still though doesn't change the fact that you made, at the very least, an incredibly naive decision in taking a powerful doping agent while racing, without the proper confirmation.

 

You're paying the price now, "school fees" as our uncle Dips likes to call them.

 

It's not just you though paying a price though? Cycling as a whole will again suffer, so please excuse me for not appreciating you playing the victim card (as per every doper caught since the start of time). Cycling has given you an incredible life til now, for which hopefully you can be grateful... and you are leaving it in the mire once again, whether that was by cheating, or mere naivety. Accountability seems to be a rare thing these days.

 

We will hopefully get some clarity and a balanced perspective on this all one day, but for now I will wish you, Bridget and your two lovely little kids all the best for what lies ahead, you are just a human being, and we all make mistakes.

[Andrew Steer]

This is now going around and around in circles.

 

Thanks to those of you who gave positive input.

 

And thanks Brandon for posting your comments.

 

 

Time to call this thread over ?

But we haven't heard SAIDS side of the argument... just saying

[SwissVan]

Looks like he did.

You should try it.

 

I did, it was quite difficult finding facts with all the bull dust posted.

Seeing you know it all maybe you could explain why the TUE was turned down, twice if i'm not mistaken.

[rattlesnake]

So by this logic if I seek their approval for a couple of cc's of aicar I am good and that is effectively the green light. Screw waiting for the TUE and following due process.

 

He started pumping TESTOSTERONE into his body without a TUE and raced with it in his system = Doping

Do some research on Nebido.... if one were to take testosterone to improve performance in endurance sport, this is probably the very last thing you would use...... in the pecking order of testos for performance its a distant last.

 

I don't believe he had the intent to dope to improve race performance - if he did it would have been with proper stuff. This stuff addresses the "other issues" that are linked to low testo.

[carbon29er]

If you called the authority and asked what to do and they said "cool go ahead and in the mean time"

 

Then you believe you can do it while awaiting......TUE???

HOW many times does he have to tell you that he was under the impression that it was OK, SINCE he was TOLD by the women that it is ok????

And of course he has written confirmation or a recording of said correspondence....

 

SAIDS does not issue a TUE to an International Federation registered sports person, the governing body for their sport does.

 

In this case the UCI is responsible for any TUE if BS is a UCI licensed rider.

 

So blaming SAIDS for a woman saying it's ok is disingenuous. I know it's not SAIDS but the ASADA (Aussie) site has a video that clearly states WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE THE TUE and who issues your TUE.

[Skubarra]

The governing body's(SAIDS) job is to test athletes, they did so and found him glowing. What he or SAIDS should have done could have done doesnt really matter.

 

I agree with you to an extent that the ultimate responsibility of not doping lies with the athlete and that trying to hide behind SAIDS flaws will net get you far.

 

However I disagree with the idea that SAIDS only job is to play policeman and what they should have done doesn't matter. I couldn't find their mandate on the web but I would think that it would include the promotion of drug-free sports via education of athletes & the public, facilitating with TUE processes and information amongst others.

 

If SAIDS had proper procedures and education around these procedures in place for TUE, BS would not have had to go about obtaining the TUE in the way he did. In short he either could have completely avoided this shambles or in the very least he would have had no excuse because there would have been clearly defined procedures he didn't follow. Now it's a case of he said, she said and everyone else playing judge.

 

There were big red warning lights to SAIDS long before he tested positive, if they had procedures to act upon it we wouldn't be having this discussion.

[rouxtjie]

I agree with you to an extent that the ultimate responsibility of not doping lies with the athlete and that trying to hide behind SAIDS flaws will net get you far.

 

However I disagree with the idea that SAIDS only job is to play policeman and what they should have done doesn't matter. I couldn't find their mandate on the web but I would think that it would include the promotion of drug-free sports via education of athletes & the public, facilitating with TUE processes and information amongst others.

 

If SAIDS had proper procedures and education around these procedures in place for TUE, BS would not have had to go about obtaining the TUE in the way he did. In short he either could have completely avoided this shambles or in the very least he would have had no excuse because there would have been clearly defined procedures he didn't follow. Now it's a case of he said, she said and everyone else playing judge.

 

There were big red warning lights to SAIDS long before he tested positive, if they had procedures to act upon it we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Being more than policeman requires resources, resources which as I understand they don't have. As with the police analogy, their primary job is to catch people not adhering to the rules.

[Eldron]

Can we conclude with:

 

BS should have waited until he had the TUE in his hands before taking a banned substance.

SAIDS could have offered more assistance before it was too late.

 

Anything else is just speculation and shouldacouldawoulda.

[Skubarra]

Being more than policeman requires resources, resources which as I understand they don't have. As with the police analogy, their primary job is to catch people not adhering to the rules.

 

Their resources or lack thereof doesn't define their function.

 

From their annual report - a bit "wollerig" but for me it goes beyond justing testing/playing policeman, they certainly make a big issue of education in their annual report.

 

“To promote participation in sport free from the use of

prohibited substances or methods intended to artificially

enhance performance, thereby rendering impermissible

doping practices which are contrary to the principles of

fair play and medical ethics, in the interest of the health

and well-being of sportspersons; and to provide matters

connected therewith.”

[Patchelicious]

Hi Greg my sponsors knew everything I informed them from when I first took the medication. They have stood by me and the riders and they have paid there contracts till the end of the year, but unfortunately it was Daryl Impey's case and other issues related to cycling that made it a difficult situation to be in...Our sponsors have not left us high and dry.... Cant give full detail but the team is over with immediate effect. The situation is what it is and sponsors get a great return on investment from professional mountain biking but its the continuous negative comments from the general public, riders and slip ups. FedGroup and ITEC have been amazing to us.

Brandon, I must say that you coming here has been good for the Hubbers, they have been exposed to your side of the story, which has shed some good light on the process. Having said that the extra bit of damage to the sport has been done. Eg: on Supercycling the details of the story are not disclosed, all the general public/non-hubbers see/hear is "another cyclist gets 2 year ban for Testosterone" as a headline, that's it. You, Impey guilty or not in on your versions, are being portrayed as guilty as that is what SAIDS says is the case. If you get your case overturned, will that bring the sponsors back? I'm not so sure. It is not the general public or "slip ups" that are causing people/sponsors to pull out of the sport, it is riders who are getting caught for "cheating" that are damaging the sport. Perhaps a proactive approach to get public and sponsor confidence back could help. With your insight to the SAIDS process, other riders who do naughty things, you have the opportunity and knowledge to do that. I'm not sure what options you have, that's up to you, but there are ways to positively contribute to a sport that is being damaged by this "misunderstanding".

[Brandonmtb]

Sorry, my choice of words may have been influenced by all the arse kissing on the last few pages.

Sorry Blackbeard I'm a dick and a cheat!!! You are more than welcome to smash me with all the criticism you like,,,,, I hope in any walk of life you never make a mistake and get crucified for it... (maybe that would satisfy you...)

[Tjokkits]

Can we conclude with:

 

BS should have waited until he had the TUE in his hands before taking a banned substance.

SAIDS could have offered more assistance before it was too late.

 

Anything else is just speculation and shouldacouldawoulda.

yes short and sweet, voice of reason.oor en uit

[ChUkKy]

This is now going around and around in circles.

 

Thanks to those of you who gave positive input.

 

And thanks Brandon for posting your comments.

 

 

Time to call this thread over ?

 

It isn't over till there's been a fight.

Please be patient, Friday is 2 days away although it's known to heat up on Thursdays too

[rouxtjie]

Their resources or lack thereof doesn't define their function.

 

From their annual report - a bit "wollerig" but for me it goes beyond justing testing/playing policeman, they certainly make a big issue of education in their annual report.

 

“To promote participation in sport free from the use of

prohibited substances or methods intended to artificially

enhance performance, thereby rendering impermissible

doping practices which are contrary to the principles of

fair play and medical ethics, in the interest of the health

and well-being of sportspersons; and to provide matters

connected therewith.”

It does effect the reality though....would you rather them use their resources for testing or for promoting clean sport. I know what I will choose.

[Brandonmtb]

maybe its been answered earlier on the thread, but now that you're not racing anymore, are you back on the treatment?

My racing days are over and will certainly go back on the treatment. Not even allowed to play bolws

[Brandonmtb]

maybe its been answered earlier on the thread, but now that you're not racing anymore, are you back on the treatment?

My racing days are over and will certainly go back on the treatment. Not even allowed to play bolws