April 1/09 13:53 pm - CCA & FQSC Comment On CCES Penalties to Jeanson, Aubut & Duquette

Posted by Editor on 04/1/09
 

The Canadian Cycling Association and the Federation québécoise de sports cycliste announced today that they fully support the penalties handed out by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport to cyclist Geneviève Jeanson, her coach André Aubut and her physician Dr. Maurice Duquette for Jeanson's repeated use of erythropoetin (EPO) during her cycling career.

Jeanson, now retired, received a 10-year sanction while Aubut and Duquette both received lifetime bans for administering the banned performance-enhancing substance to Jeanson. The CCES announced the suspensions today after a 12-month investigation launched after Jeanson admitted to using the substance during her career in a television interview.

"We expected this was the type of suspensions the CCES would be handing out and we fully agree with it," said John Tolkamp, president of the Canadian Cycling Association. "The CCA and FQSC are united in the fight against doping. Our organizations will be investigating any additional sanctions and will be reviewing the results and titles Ms Jeanson has been awarded.

"We are happy to see this resolved so that we can move on to pro-actively supporting our athletes who are committed to drug free sport."

This is the first time for Canada and for the anti-doping code that a coach and support personnel are sanctioned.

"The actions taken against Jeanson's coach and physician outline the fact that athletes don't act alone most of the time," said Louis Barbeau, director general of the FQSC. "It is important to punish, when possible, all the people involved in these situations."

Because Jeanson started using the substance at 16, Barbeau added that parents should remain involved and be cautious, especially when the athletes are minors.

"Parents should ask for certified coaches, and ask the coach's motivation and objectives with their children, to ensure that what is done is appropriate," he said

Tolkamp said the actions by Jeanson, Aubut and Duquette have caused irreparable damages.

"This is a tragic case but in cheating, Ms. Jeanson, her coach and physician have also affected the cycling careers of other national team athletes," said Tolkamp. "They were denied funding opportunities, spots on national teams and positions at the world championships and Olympic Games."

Jeanson, 27, was among Canada's top road racers for several years earning double gold at the 1999 World Junior Road Championships and winning World Cup, Tour and national titles at the senior level. She placed 11th at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.