April 1, 2009
Statements from
Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) and Federation québécoise des sports
cyclistes (FQSC) regarding CCES penalties handed to Jeanson, Aubut and Duquette
OTTAWA – 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
“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
-30-
For more information:
John Tolkamp
President
Canadian Cycling Association
Tel: (604) 312-5808
Louis Barbeau
Director General
FQSC
514 252-3071 ext 3523
For more info go to the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport
website:
http://www.cces.ca/pdfs/CCES-MR-ViolationAubut-E.pdf