Alberto Contador’s former manager, Johan Bruyneel, supports the Tour de France winner’s claim that contaminated meat caused his positive doping test.
Contador has been provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after a trace of the banned substance clenbuterol was discovered in his urine sample taken at the Tour in July.
“I know Alberto, I’ve worked with him for three years. I personally cannot believe he is guilty,” Bruyneel, who managed Contador at the Discovery Channel and Astana teams, said on Thursday. “I think it’s perfectly possible that his positive result would be due to a contaminated piece of meat or whatever supplement, but then again the result is that A and B sample show up positive.”
“Now it’s up to the authorities to deal with it and I think it’s a very sensitive matter because it is possible to have a positive [test] if you haven’t done anything. I am convinced about that. So I would feel really bad for him if this would be the case that he would get suspension or even a reduced suspension,” he said.
Bruyneel had to fire Chinese rider Li Fuyu in August after a B sample came back positive for clenbuterol, an anabolic agent that can be used to reduce body fat.
“I have no doubts [about Contador] because I had a similar case in May with a Chinese rider on my team,” Bruyneel said. “It’s exactly the same quantity [as Contador] which is the least amount that can be measured and I’m pretty sure that’s the same case, but I had to terminate his contract.”
“A test is a test and if there is a small quantity there, it’s there. I think you have to be able to make the difference if it was deliberately ingested or if it was there because he ate a contaminated piece of meat. I am pretty sure there are more athletes that have been convicted and are in the same case,” he said.
The UCI said Contador’s clenbuterol was detected on July 21, the Tour’s final rest day. A urine sample taken from Contador the day before also showed abnormally high levels of plastic residues that could indicate he received a transfusion of his own blood during this year’s race, a person with knowledge of the test results said on Tuesday.
“I think it’s irrelevant because I don’t think it’s part of the problem,” Bruyneel said after speaking at the Leaders in Performance conference in London. “I think the facts are there were 50 [picograms] of clenbuterol in his sample and that has to be explained.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely