Boonen on coke - again!?

[Epicycle]

You guys are very knowledgeable on testing issues so maybe you can shed some light on the following.

If they don't have a rule against cocaine use out of competition, why do they even test for it?

Why would they turn over the results to the media (and police?) if it's a positive for something that isn't a violation of the testing program?

Finally, how can these privately administered tests by a sporting authority count as evidence in a criminal proceeding?

Clearly cyclists need a strong labor union to protect themselves from such oddities.

The labs don't know if the sample was taken in or out of competition when they do anonymous testing.

Belgian law says positive tests by the Belgian antidopers get police notification.

The Belgian antidoping tests aren't private. The UCI tests are private. That is why his positive from late 2007 wasn't reported to the police.

A union would not protect them from Belgian law.

 

[Bala Verde]

It happens elsewhere too

Richard Gasquet (tennisplayer) was caught for using doping, or better, cocaine, during the tournament of Miami. He is suspended for the moment by the International Tennis Federation and needs to explain himself before the ITF anti doping court later...

 

[franciep10]

Is there a union that protects and defends the riders because they should have one most major sports do, I'm saying that riders should be protected from meaningless accusations.

 

[ElChingon]

Is there a union that protects and defends the riders because they should have one most major sports do, I'm saying that riders should be protected from meaningless accusations.

They should be protected by accusations, but when they test positive, well they need to pay their fee's and do their time, own up and without starting to cry like a 2 year old.

 

[franciep10]

They should be protected by accusations, but when they test positive, well they need to pay their fee's and do their time, own up and without starting to cry like a 2 year old.

I agree if they test positive then fine but accusations they should be protected from until they are declared positive , in the case of boonen this should have been kept between the Team, Boonen and UCI to work it out it shouldn't be in the Media, what he does in his spare time is his business

 

[Cookie Crumbler]

Boonen also faces a one- to six-month suspension from the International Cycling Union (UCI) for damaging the sport's reputation. The cycling union can't act against him on anti-doping grounds, but may still take action.
Union President Pat McQuaid told Nieuwsblad.be, that, "this scandal affects all of cycling. He faces criminal penalties." Boonen will have to answer to the cycling union's disciplinary commission. [Cyclingnews]

Is this only me or is this outright ridiculous? I mean, which reputation is Boonen suposed to have damaged? The bad reputation from mismanagement and ignorance towards doping the likes of Verbrugghe and McQuaid have so artfully creatd over the years. While Tom might be an addict the UCI is hypocritical to say the least. In the end it is exactly this hypocrisy and arbitrariness, which give cycling a bad name. More than anything a single rider could ever do.

Rant over.

 

[Bala Verde]

Is there a union that protects and defends the riders because they should have one most major sports do, I'm saying that riders should be protected from meaningless accusations.

I think pozzatto was one of the few riders who is really engaged with this problem, and I believe he has said something to the extent that he wants a union for pro riders. This would facilitate riders to form a 'united front', and make demands viz a viz the UCI and Teams/Team directors, who currently run the show.

One of the problems is that it is currently difficult to break the power of these existing blocs. Cyclists usually, when push comes to shove, step back in line and do what their teams tell them to do. The teams have a stranglehold over the cyclists, because they pay them their wages. Teams then negotiate with UCI, and force riders to take it or leave it. The common ground between rider then quickly dissolves and they end up doing what's in their own interest. This reinforces the status of team directors and teams viz a viz the UCI, because they can guarantee the UCI that certain things will happen, the way the UCI wants it to be.

Boonen also faces a one- to six-month suspension from the International Cycling Union (UCI) for damaging the sport's reputation. The cycling union can't act against him on anti-doping grounds, but may still take action.
Union President Pat McQuaid told Nieuwsblad.be, that, "this scandal affects all of cycling. He faces criminal penalties." Boonen will have to answer to the cycling union's disciplinary commission. [Cyclingnews]

Is this only me or is this outright ridiculous? I mean, which reputation is Boonen suposed to have damaged? The bad reputation from mismanagement and ignorance towards doping the likes of Verbrugghe and McQuaid have so artfully creatd over the years. While Tom might be an addict the UCI is hypocritical to say the least. In the end it is exactly this hypocrisy and arbitrariness, which give cycling a bad name. More than anything a single rider could ever do.

Rant over.

+1.... UCI should be banned for a long time for killing cycling's reputation as well.. or do the rules they come up with not apply to their own organization!

 

[BikeCentric]

Boonen needs to go to rehab. I don't see why he should get thrown under the bus for recreational drug use (i.e. non performance enhancing), especially when said use looks like it might be a problem (read: addiction) for him. I'm sure he's going to get a suspension, but it will be really sad if his career ends like this and I'd worry about what happens to him personally if it does end like this.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

The cyclists have a union, the AIGCP, headed by Eric Boyer. They spend the last several years fighting against drug testing, and sided with the UCI in their fight against the ASO - both losing causes, this tarnished their reputation, and diminished their power as more doping positives appeared.

 

[slowoldman]

Boonen's latest result is actually his third positive for cocaine.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2009/may09/may11news2

 

[Jasper]

Lefevre and the ceo of Quick Step decided that Boonen has to pay a fine (the exact amount is unknown, but I guess he won't come off cheap) and follow at least one year of strict personal therapy with the official national health department, including weekly consultations, biweekly urine testing and 3 hair testings over the course of one year. And until further notice he remains suspended.

Looks fair and correct to me, and the best possible and most beneficial solution for all parties.

 

[Bala Verde]

Lefevre and the ceo of Quick Step decided that Boonen has to pay a fine (the exact amount is unknown, but I guess he won't come off cheap) and follow at least one year of strict personal therapy with the official national health department, including weekly consultations, biweekly urine testing and 3 hair testings over the course of one year. And until further notice he remains suspended.

Looks fair and correct to me, and the best possible and most beneficial solution for all parties.

Does that imply that the judiciary will let him off the hook? Or could he still face jail time?

 

[Jasper]

Does that imply that the judiciary will let him off the hook? Or could he still face jail time?

Nope, he could still (and most probably will) have to face criminal punishment.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Nope, he could still (and most probably will) have to face criminal punishment.

Worst of all he'll never be able to bang like he does on the gear. Mothers can now let their daughters back outside. Bad boy Bonnen has been strapped up. Poor ****. So what's he's charity cause going to be when he cleans up ?

 

[elapid]

Lefevre and the ceo of Quick Step decided that Boonen has to pay a fine (the exact amount is unknown, but I guess he won't come off cheap) and follow at least one year of strict personal therapy with the official national health department, including weekly consultations, biweekly urine testing and 3 hair testings over the course of one year. And until further notice he remains suspended.

Looks fair and correct to me, and the best possible and most beneficial solution for all parties.

+1

Both responsible and beneficial for all concerned. Let this be judged where it deserves to be, in the Belgian courts.

 

[stephens]

I'm outraged by the outrage. If the UCI or the team took a survey of the public, what percentage would agree that whatever a rider does on his own time is none of our business as long as it isn't doping for performance enhancement? I would hope it'd be 90% of the public that feels that way. What business is it of mine, or anyone else's, if a guy wants to party now and then and bang gorgeous girls, or whatever else?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Would you feel that way about a co-worker? An employee? How about a police officer? Teacher? Airplane pilot?

How would you feel if a rider were doing methamphetamines? Selling EPO and HGH? How about dealing PCP and cocaine?

What if he were a wife beater? A child molester?

I think the decision by QuickStep is fair, and let the Belgian courts deal with his situation how it fits their legal system.

 

[stephens]

All of the things you mention are things that are harmful to other people. Drinking or doing a little drugs in a controlled environment is totally different and as it can't harm me, it's no business of mine that he does it or not. my personal morality should be mine alone, and i have no right to demand the same of others as long as they are not harming me.

 

[Seth Bullock]

I’m definitely for the point of view that whatever you do in your own time is your own business as long as it’s not performance enhancing – but be prepared to face the consequences if caught. A slap on the wrist/kick up the b^m from the team and governing body is in my opinion warranted as taking recreational drugs sends the wrong message to aspiring kiddies and harms the reputation of the team/sponsors/sport.

Question: if it were a rider lower down the team roster in comparison to Tom (that is without his palmares and abilities), would he get the same punishment or would he just get kicked off the team for good?

 

[slcbiker]

I wouldn't call coke a harmless recreational drug. Look up Len Bias, see how he feels about it (dead).
And it certainly has more performance enhancing traits than pot. It's a stimulant, and an appetite supressant.

That said, I feel kind of sorry for Boonen. He's a young guy that has been put under alot of pressure and had a ton of fame and money thrown at him. In Belgium he's easily the equivalent of Michael Jordan. In such a situation, not too hard to make a mistake.
And it is addictive.

 

[Steel4Ever]

All of the things you mention are things that are harmful to other people. Drinking or doing a little drugs in a controlled environment is totally different and as it can't harm me, it's no business of mine that he does it or not. my personal morality should be mine alone, and i have no right to demand the same of others as long as they are not harming me.

Wow. Such incredibly limited vision!
So it doesn't matter if any citizen goes about breaking any law he/she desires, just as long as "they are not harming" you?
Breaking criminal laws is very different from opposing "personal morality".
It's no business of yours what your fellow citizens are doing?
I don't even know what to say about that.
Obviously not a very engaged person.

Hope Booney pulls it together over the next year because he is after all, a monster bike racer. Just have to wait to see what the courts say...

 

[stephens]

Wow. Such incredibly limited vision!
So it doesn't matter if any citizen goes about breaking any law he/she desires, just as long as "they are not harming" you?
Breaking criminal laws is very different from opposing "personal morality".
It's no business of yours what your fellow citizens are doing?
I don't even know what to say about that.
Obviously not a very engaged person.

If by engaged you mean "nosey", then you are correct that I am not that. I can't imagine any justification for sticking my nose into other people's business and telling them what they can or can not do unless that behavior is somehow harming me or my loved one's.

Perhaps what we are experiencing here is a cultural difference in approach to governance and the rights of a citizen/individual. Whatever it is, may I request that you please carry on the discussion without making personal judgments and insults of my character based on the very few words i've posted here?

 

[fifisan]

At this point I think new york escort he's a junkie. Now will the UCI take some action on this matter? Or will Cocaine still be new york asian escort considered a slap on the wrist violation? Whereas the rest of the world would end up in new york escorts Jail for using it or at least being caught with it...

This needs to be dealt a Two year new york asian escorts ban at a minimum, if not it will only mean the UCI is powerless or gutless to do anything about doping overall in the sport.

 

[craig1985]

With his 3rd positive been announced, perhaps entering rehab/counselling would be quite a good PR/saving face gesture. If I were a team mate of Boonen, I would be quite annoyed ATM because it does make the sponsor's look bad and at the end of the day, without them, no cycling team.

 

[Black-Balled]

Boonen needs to go to rehab. ...it will be really sad if his career ends like this and I'd worry about what happens to him personally if it does end like this.

The Belgian word for what happens to him is 'Vandenbroucke'.