Tyler Hamilton Tests Positive for Doping - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

sailor · 09-22-2004, 10:42 AM

I dont know how many of yall follow cycling at all, but Tyler Hamilton, who won the gold medal at the Olympics this year in the time trial has just tested positive for doping.

Unfortunately, Im not very surprised by this. Doping is immensely prevalent in cycling. I am very disappointed, but not too surprised. Tyler Hamilton is one of the toughest riders in the world. In the 2003 Tour de France, what is likely the hardest sporting event in the world, he rode the whole three weeks with a broken collarbone and still managed to place fourth and win a stage. He is also one of the nicest guys in the Peloton--never boastful, always respectful... Hes about the last guy I would have suspected.

Keep in mind that it hasnt been proved yet--new tests have been submitted to retest and confirm the results. But he already failed two tests--one at the Olympics and one at the Vuelta a Espana (basically, the Tour de France in Spain). That alone doesnt speak well. The tests came back positive for a homologous blood transfer. Basically, an athlete will inject himself with more blood, either his own, or in this case, someone else's, in order to increase the amount of blood they have and thus the amount of oxygen they can carry, thereby improving endurance.

Here is the text one one article from CyclingNews.com:

Quote:

Hamilton fails blood tests

By Jeff Jones
Tyler Hamilton (Phonak),
Photo ©: Lavuelta.com Click for larger image

The Vuelta a España has been rocked this morning by news that Tyler Hamilton (Phonak), has returned two positive blood tests that showed evidence of a homologous blood transfusion. One test was performed at the Athens Olympics and another at the Vuelta on September 13. Both tests showed evidence of a "mixed red blood cell population, an indication of a homologous blood transfusion," Phonak's press officer Georges Lüchinger was quoted by AP as saying. The results of the counter-analyses are not yet known, but are expected today (Tuesday).

Hamilton, winner of the gold medal at the Athens 2004 Olympics in the individual time trial as well as the Vuelta's eighth stage time trial, abandoned the race prior to stage 13 claiming stomach problems. Hamilton has denied having a transfusion, saying the positive test was the result of a surgical intervention he had some time ago. If the B samples are confirmed positive, then he risks losing his Olympic gold medal, which would make Viatcheslav Ekimov the Olympic time trial champion again.

Phonak team director Alvaro Pino said, "I have spoken to Tyler and he has claimed he is innocent and apart from whatever the (Phonak) team decides, he will do whatever he has to do to defend himself from these accusations." Phonak will hold a press conference later this evening.

Enhancing endurance performance via blood transfusion is nothing new, and the practice has been around for at least 30 years. Athletes admitted to using it at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, when it was not illegal. Typically, a quantity of blood is withdrawn from an athlete some time before an important competition, and when the time comes, the red cells are reinjected to provide an extra boost. This can also be done with another person's blood and even with EPO-enhanced blood, although the risk of detection is far greater. Former Kelme cyclist Jesus Manzano claimed that he nearly died when he was reinjected with some "bad blood" late in 2003.

Tyler Hamilton's case is the first ever positive for a blood transfusion, as up until very recently, doping via this method has been undetectable. A powerful blood test developed by Australian researchers was implemented at this year's Tour de France. The test didn't look for a particular banned substance, but instead examined whether there were any abnormalities in a person's blood as a result of artificial manipulation. At the Tour, it was announced that homologous blood transfusions could be detected, but autologous transfusions could not.

He was suspended by his team, Phonak, today. More can be found on CyclingNews.com or VeloNews.com.

canuckguy · 09-22-2004, 03:46 PM

was a bit surprised by that news. hopefully its not true as hamilton has always been one of my favs. I was equally surprised about his dropping out of this years tour de france when his back was hurting. he looked so defeated when the offical took his numbers off after he went back to the team car.

Serpent · 09-23-2004, 12:24 PM

They deep froze the one from the olympics and the test from it was inconclusive so they are letting him keep the metal.. Does sound bad though considering he failed the blood doping test for the tour of spain also.. So unless he has some funny blood and the tests are not deisnged right, he probably is blood doping..

sailor · 09-23-2004, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serpent

They deep froze the one from the olympics and the test from it was inconclusive so they are letting him keep the metal.. Does sound bad though considering he failed the blood doping test for the tour of spain also.. So unless he has some funny blood and the tests are not deisnged right, he probably is blood doping..

Yeah, and they threw the Olympic test out because they mishandled it, not because it came back negative. Doesnt bode too well for him

maleficent · 09-23-2004, 03:39 PM

Blood packing was the cheating of choice when I was swimming competitively in college, I knew people who did it, I never did because I didn't like needles (and it was cheating)... we had to pee in a cup regularly, but blood was never tested.... Blood is tested now, and it's pretty easy to spot, How stupid could a person be to do it?

I don't understand the need to win overriding common sense.

Serpent · 09-23-2004, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

Blood packing was the cheating of choice when I was swimming competitively in college, I knew people who did it, I never did because I didn't like needles (and it was cheating)... we had to pee in a cup regularly, but blood was never tested.... Blood is tested now, and it's pretty easy to spot, How stupid could a person be to do it?

I don't understand the need to win overriding common sense.

Have to wonder if he has always done it, or if it is a flaw in the test. Won't really know until they do more tests i guess. OR see how he does later on when he passes all the tests.. that is if they ever let him race again.

Spartak · 09-23-2004, 10:17 PM

They can take away a medal because you were late for a drug test, but not when you have blatantly cheated but your second sample was mishandled. What the fuck. Is this the same ruthless zero tolerance IOC that trumpeted itself for so long before the Olympics ?

sailor · 09-24-2004, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serpent

Have to wonder if he has always done it, or if it is a flaw in the test. Won't really know until they do more tests i guess. OR see how he does later on when he passes all the tests.. that is if they ever let him race again.

Doubtful. Blood doping has come back into use for one reason: there are now tests to detect EPO. EPO stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, basically having the same effect as blood doping only without the risks. Now that it can be tested for, people are going back to the blood doping, which until now, couldnt be tested for.

sailor · 09-24-2004, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spartak

They can take away a medal because you were late for a drug test, but not when you have blatantly cheated but your second sample was mishandled. What the fuck. Is this the same ruthless zero tolerance IOC that trumpeted itself for so long before the Olympics ?

Innocent until proven guilty. Think about if--if you had dedicated your life to climbing to the top of your sport and all of a sudden a drug test said you were positive despite your being clean, youd want a retest too. A lot of these tests are pretty subjective and as such require a second test to verify.

Now, in this case, given that he failed the first, and failed the first AND second tests at the Vuelta, and that the second wasnt negative but was instead destroyed by operator error, I think they probably should move to sanction him.

Mal, part of the problem is that cycling has long had a history of doping. For its whole 100 years of life, riders have been doping. Its gotten to the point that to compete at all, you almost have to be doped or you'll just be trounced by those who are. Its a vicious circle, and something that is very disheartening. Not to mention that when you take someone whose only marketable skill is the ability to endure extreme discomfort and pain for a long time and dangle huge contracts, endorsements, and whatever else in front of them, many are willing to do almost anything to win. Still doesnt explain Hamilton of all people, but...

09-23-2004, 03:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Blood packing was the cheating of choice when I was swimming competitively in college, I knew people who did it, I never did because I didn't like needles (and it was cheating)... we had to pee in a cup regularly, but blood was never tested.... Blood is tested now, and it's pretty easy to spot, How stupid could a person be to do it? I don't understand the need to win overriding common sense. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

09-23-2004, 10:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Spartak Bang bang Location: New Zealand	They can take away a medal because you were late for a drug test, but not when you have blatantly cheated but your second sample was mishandled. What the fuck. Is this the same ruthless zero tolerance IOC that trumpeted itself for so long before the Olympics ? __________________ I can read your mind... looking at you... I can read your mind...

09-22-2004, 03:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
canuckguy I read your emails. Location: earth	was a bit surprised by that news. hopefully its not true as hamilton has always been one of my favs. I was equally surprised about his dropping out of this years tour de france when his back was hurting. he looked so defeated when the offical took his numbers off after he went back to the team car.

09-23-2004, 12:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Serpent Insane Location: florida	They deep froze the one from the olympics and the test from it was inconclusive so they are letting him keep the metal.. Does sound bad though considering he failed the blood doping test for the tour of spain also.. So unless he has some funny blood and the tests are not deisnged right, he probably is blood doping..