April 1/09 13:51 pm - Jeanson's On-Air Admission of EPO Use Results in Sanctions

Posted by Editor on 04/1/09
 

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced today that Geneviève Jeanson, a retired cyclist, committed an anti-doping rule violation by repeatedly using erythropoetin (EPO) during her cycling career.

The violation was asserted following a 12-month investigation conducted by the CCES into allegations made by Ms. Jeanson during a Radio Canada television interview that aired on September 20 and 27, 2007.

The investigation concluded that Ms. Jeanson used EPO extensively throughout her cycling career. Ms. Jeanson implicated her coach, Andre Aubut, and her physician, Dr. Maurice Duquette, in the administration of a prohibited substance to a minor (Ms. Jeanson) and that they assisted, aided and abetted the administration of a prohibited substance.

As a result of Ms. Jeanson’s ready assistance in establishing anti-doping rule violations against her physician and coach, her sanction was reduced from lifetime sport ineligibility to 10 years, along with permanent ineligibility for federal funding. Ms. Jeanson waived her right to a hearing.

This investigation into the role of athlete support personnel is the first conducted by the CCES within the new World Anti-Doping Code focus on non-analytical methods of rooting out doping. Under the rules of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program, the CCES has the authority and the responsibility to investigate any allegations or evidence of anti-doping rule violations committed by athletes and athlete support personnel.

“We have a duty to protect athletes’ right to a sport experience that is free from the pressure to dope exerted by individuals in positions of authority over athletes,” said Paul Melia, President and CEO of the CCES. “This athlete’s admission to long-time use of EPO became a powerful tool to remove two influential members of her support team from the sport system.”