October 19/11 13:41 pm - Papillon Receives Two Year Sanction for EPO

Posted by Editoress on 10/19/11
 

We reported earlier today that Canadian road racer Arnaud Papillon has admitted to using a banned substance and accepted a two suspension, based on a letter he sent out (see Arnaud Papillon Admits to Using Banned Substance).  Now, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports (CCES) has formally confirmed the suspension and stated that it is for using EPO (erythropoietin).

The positive was found from a test at the Canadan Road Nationals, where Papillon finished second in the Under-23 road race.  Jamie Riggs (Team Ontario) will now move up from third to second in the results, and Spencer Smitheman (Hagens Berman LLP Elite Cycling Team) from fourth to third.

Papillon had adverse findings in two tests and waived his right to a hearing.  The suspension went into effect as of August 12, 2011.

The CCES announcement:

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport announced today that cyclist Arnaud Papillon, received a two-year sanction for the use of erythropoietin (EPO) during the Canadian Road Championships.

Papillon, who was tested multiple times prior to, during and after the Canadian Championships, had two separate urine samples (one in-competition sample and one out-of competition sample) return adverse analytical findings for the presence of EPO, a prohibited substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency 2011 Prohibited List.

EPO is a peptide hormone that is produced naturally by the human body. It is released from the kidneys and acts on the bone marrow to stimulate red blood cell production. An increase in red blood cells improves the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry to the body's muscles. It may also increase the body's capacity to buffer lactic acid.

Papillon waived his right to a hearing and accepted the proposed sanction of two years ineligibility from sport commencing August 12, 2011. The sanction prevents Papillon from participating in any capacity in any competition or in any sport-related activity, including training with team mates, authorized or organized by an organization that has adopted the Canadian Anti-Doping Program.

"It is always disappointing when we find that an athlete has attempted to cheat," said Paul Melia, President and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. "However, it is even more disconcerting when we find out that the substance being used is as dangerous and sophisticated as EPO."