October 21/11 22:46 pm - Second Garneau Rider Admits to Doping

Posted by Editoress on 10/21/11
 

For the second time this week, a member of the Garneau-Club Chaussures team has admitted to doping after having received a positive result for a banned substance. This time, it is the Peruvian rider Miguel Agreda who has publicly stated to the Quebec-based Veloptimum site that he has received a two year suspension from the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).

The actual banned substance has not yet been released, nor the details of when the positive result occurred. However, the statement Agreda released is worded in an exceedingly similar fashion to that of his team mate Arnaud Papillon earlier this week, suggesting they likely received similar legal advice in this situation. It also suggests that there is the possibility that this may have been an organized program of doping by a group of athletes. (Note: We have NO concrete evidence of this conjecture, at this time, however, we received word from a reliable source that Papillon's positive was only the first of several positives to follow)

Miguel Agreda's statement:

It is with great regret that I informed in the late afternoon my cycling club president and my employer that I had been suspended by the CCES (Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports) for using prohibited substances as a competitive cyclist.

I realize now the immense impact of the actions that I undertook, the grief, disappointment and disgrace incurred for the benefit of my personal sporting performance by the people around me who supported me.

I acted alone and without telling anyone, betraying thereby the ethical rules governing my sport.

I realize now that because of this move, I lose both my reputation as an athlete and the confidence of my teammates. I can hardly find words to explain my behavior and, as I can not fix the past, it only remains for me to apologize publicly, from the depths of my heart, to the employer that allowed me to practice my profession in this sport which is my passion.

It is with humility and resignation that I accept the sanction of the CCES, the suspension from cycling for two years and the period of suspension imposed by my employer for this serious breach of ethics. I intend to use this time to walk as a man and athlete, with the support given to me by my employer, despite the harm that I have caused.

How can I tell all who share this passion for cycling that the way forward to achieve the highest steps of the podium is not the one I used?

This confession is perhaps the beginning.

I will not comment further.

Miguel Agreda