Boonen on coke - again!?

[Anonymous]

This is precisely my point. The perspective of addicts is warped because they were always around other addicts: both when they were using, and in recovery. They don't see that most people can use without it being a problem. And so we're bombarded with messages about drug usage that do not reflect the true reality. This thread is a perfect example: Boonen used cocaine at a party, therefore he must be a cokehead with a huge problem and a terrible roll model not worthy of supporting or allowing to race in pro cycling and should be jailed and blah, blah, blah. It gets tiresome.

No, Boonen SAYS he only used cocaine at a party once......seems that if you get busted every time you do coke, maybe you are full of **** when you say it was you first time. Again, you OBVIOUSLY have an issue with people in recovery that has nothing to do with this topic. Normal people don't worry about testing positive for coke if it is going to severely affect their job or life because they wouldn't do coke if they knew they would definitely be tested. As for the role model blah blah blah, all I have said is that Boonen's actions are symptomatic of someone with a substance abuse problem. He may not have a problem. All I have commented on is the fact that you seem to buy into the easy explanation of someone who is beginning to show a pattern of irrational behavior in regards to cocaine.

Oh, and as to your, "he couldn't have a problem because he wins races," I have also known many addicts who were quite successful. Right up until they started to do stupid things like do drugs when they knew they would be tested, thereby losing jobs, etc.

 

[Anonymous]

Maybe he has an alcohol problem. Maybe he has a coke problem. (I think neither)

I don't know much about drug addiction, but wouldn't it be the worst thing to do for an addict to take his other passion away??

If he is really an addict? No. It is the best thing you can do. People don't do something about their problem until the consequences of their actions come to fruition. People who show a pattern of irrational behavior with drugs and alcohol are usually the ones with the problme. (and doing coke when you know you will be tested is irrational even if you were drunk when you did it. See, if you are so drunk that you do coke even though you know you will be tested, maybe you have a substance abuse problem. Again, alcohol and cocaine are both drugs.) If he has a problem, it will only get worse without treatment. I for one hope that if he does have a problem, he does get help. The rest of the consequences are what they are. He signed up for this.

 

[elapid]

What are you all arguing here? Whether he is an addict or not? Does it matter? Read Matt Rendell's book on Marco Pantani. No one should be allowed to die like Pantani. Three positives. Boonen needs some professional help. The best thing everyone can do is to support him (himself, Quickstep and the UCI) and not abandon him like Pantani or suspend him.

 

[ElChingon]

Maybe he has an alcohol problem. Maybe he has a coke problem. (I think neither)

I don't know much about drug addiction, but wouldn't it be the worst thing to do for an addict to take his other passion away??

From the sound of some here, he only has a Cocaine Testing Problem

 

[ElChingon]

Looks like some of us were on to something

----------

Donati says link exists between doping and coke use

By Shane Stokes

Italian anti-doping expert Sandro Donati has challenged the notion that there is no direct correlation between recreational cocaine use and the abuse of performance enhancing drugs, saying this week that the two are often linked.

Under the WADA Code, an athlete cannot be punished for testing positive for the substance in out of competition tests. However, Donati indicated at the Play The Game conference in Coventry that he is sceptical about separating the two.

"I don't understand when, every time an athlete is positive for cocaine, that the sporting institutions immediately explain that it is not for performance, it is only for personal use," he said.

"This is an incredible explanation. I was a coach and I know very well the mental balance of the athlete. It is impossible for someone who uses cocaine for his personal life to have a good balance...because the role of the athlete is very complex.

"It means that someone involved in the use of cocaine is not a normal athlete. It means that the using is only a compensation for other using [of drugs]...the cocaine is only the tip of the iceberg."

As justification for his stance, Donati referred to his work as a consultant for a prosecutor in doping cases. "I know very well the connection in using [of both types]," he said, explaining that the substance is used by some in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

It is utilised "mainly to compensate for the slump in mood and aggressiveness during the suspension of anabolic steroids or testosterone," he explained. "There is the consequence of becoming addicted to both categories of substances."

Former Tour de France winner Marco Pantani died of a cocaine overdose in 2004. There have been several high-profile cases of cyclists testing positive for the drug.

While Donati did not name any particular athletes - and therefore didn't make specific accusations of doping against any one individual - it is clear that he would vouch for a rethink of the WADA Code in this area.

He is a former Head of Research for the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) and now works as Consultant of the Minister of Social Affairs in Italy.

 

[Jasper]

Well well, seems like Boonen did not deliberately took coke after all. Quickstep went to a toxicologist in the University Hospital of Louvain, and after the hair analysis they found that te amount of cocaine there was so small, that it is impossible that Boonen actively and directly consumed a dose of cocaine. The same test was independetly run in an ASO certified lab in Switzerland, and they came to the exact same conclusion. It's still unclear how the traces of cocaine present in his hair got there, but both parties clearly state that Boonen did not sniff or otherwise consumed cocaine this year.

Interesting twist

 

[ak-zaaf]

Well well, seems like Boonen did not deliberately took coke after all. Quickstep went to a toxicologist in the University Hospital of Louvain, and after the hair analysis they found that te amount of cocaine there was so small, that it is impossible that Boonen actively and directly consumed a dose of cocaine. The same test was independetly run in an ASO certified lab in Switzerland, and they came to the exact same conclusion. It's still unclear how the traces of cocaine present in his hair got there, but both parties clearly state that Boonen did not sniff or otherwise consumed cocaine this year.

Interesting twist

source?

"geflikt op een terras in mol?"

 

[Jasper]

Sporza



It's a pretty solid case if you ask me, if 2 independent labs get the exact same findings. Especially since one of them is under ASO supervision. They off all people wouldn't benefit from manipulating the results. The question is though, how the hell did he test positive for cocaine when he didn't take it?

 

[nobody]

whose hair was it? Or whose sample was it? I suppose B sample was tested too.

Is it possible to clean hair?

 

[BroDeal]

Simoni must have lent him a bottle of cocaine shampoo, the bottle that came in a gift box along with his cocaine candies.

 

[Bala Verde]

Well well, seems like Boonen did not deliberately took coke after all. Quickstep went to a toxicologist in the University Hospital of Louvain, and after the hair analysis they found that te amount of cocaine there was so small, that it is impossible that Boonen actively and directly consumed a dose of cocaine. The same test was independetly run in an ASO certified lab in Switzerland, and they came to the exact same conclusion. It's still unclear how the traces of cocaine present in his hair got there, but both parties clearly state that Boonen did not sniff or otherwise consumed cocaine this year.

Interesting twist

Ha just read it. Incredible. Out of competition he tests positive for coke and then two independent studies show he has not used it, although he himself already 'sort of' publicly accepted the humiliation of a positive test? I mean, he never denied he didn't take it right? So in other words two labs exonerate him, while he never denied its use.

Someone must be on something besides his bike or mic(roscope), because this is delusional!

what about the lenght of the hair samples...

 

[Jasper]

My bet is that he hangs around in social circles where cocaine roams around freely. So he most likely realised that it was quite possible that he took a line or two while being so **** drunk he blacked out. Hence the absence of denial, for he couldn't be sure he didn't take it. And the testing itself, maybe the limits are set so low that someone with the slightest cocaine residu in their body gets a positive, even if they didn't actually snort a line?


Just thinking out loud here, I don't think we'll ever know the full story.

 

[Bala Verde]

My bet is that he hangs around in social circles where cocaine roams around freely. So he most likely realised that it was quite possible that he took a line or two while being so **** drunk he blacked out. Hence the absence of denial...

Exactly my thoughts. He probably accepted the verdict, because, although he was unaware of when and how he did it, he has been/is doing it so often that his memory can't provide him with an indisputable point of reference that clears his guilt.

In other words, his conscience pleaded guilty and that probably says it all.

 

[Black-Balled]

I only made it to page 18 and I had a relapse.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

According to 'De Morgen' (belgian newspaper), the minimal amount of cocaine doesn't make it sure he didn't take it. It could mean he did't take, but he might have.

The only thing these tests make sure is that he only used cocaine one or two times, that he's not an addict...

 

[BikeCentric]

My bet is that he hangs around in social circles where cocaine roams around freely. So he most likely realised that it was quite possible that he took a line or two while being so **** drunk he blacked out. Hence the absence of denial, for he couldn't be sure he didn't take it. And the testing itself, maybe the limits are set so low that someone with the slightest cocaine residu in their body gets a positive, even if they didn't actually snort a line?


Just thinking out loud here, I don't think we'll ever know the full story.

I would certainly agree with that. Obviously he shouldn't be drinking anything close to ^that^ much but it's obvious why any cyclist wants to have a few beers now and then. For example if you have just completed a hard block of training you feel like ****, have a few drinks and you feel a lot better.

 

[BikeCentric]

I don't condone coke use, but I also really don't think Boonen should be held out of the Tour De France for recreational drug use. I mean seriously, why does the Tour think they have any moral authority to hold out Boonen for not being a "perfect role model" or whatever when we all know that the entire podium of the Tour for the past 10 years has been busted for performance enhancing drugs?! I've never done coke and I never will, but I still don't see why Boonen should be punished to this degree; he's not hurting anyone except himself when he does this substance.

 

[Jacques Tati]

Quite and interesting turn in Boonens case. I see a number of people are asking if he didnt snort the coke how did he show positive.. I work in law enforcement and when ever handling drugs we always have to wear gloves, aside from the drugs this also include money seizures, credit cards and other articles this is because these items are usually tested and are usually found to be covered in drug residue. Paper money and credit cards in particular are well used in the abuse of coke...just think how these get passed around!. Drug residue can also enter your body through the skin...hence the gloves and overalls often used by the police.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

The thing is: they've only found a cocaine trace of 0,09 ng/mg in his hair, but normally someone is only 'positive' from 0,50 ng/mg (edit: others sources say 0,05).
But not all toxicologist believe even this small trace could be caused by indirect contact only...

 

[Jasper]

It does make very clear though, that he is definitely NOT an addict or frequent user.

 

[snarls]

You know, he's probably a nice guy and I feel sorry for him that with all the success he has had it does not translate into a strong sense of self esteem and personal integrity. But let's get real and not loose the bottom line here: he did it, and I for one am sick and tired of explanations and excuses based on plausible deniabilty.

Boonen and that other dude sitting there and threatening to sue the organisers of the Tour de France... man, I am so sick of this. People, please: words have meanings, actions have consequences and integrity just does not ever go out of style.

 

[Cobblestones]

So he didn't ... inhale?

Yeah right.

 

[davesemail29]

Tom Bonnen - Do us all a favor and skip the Tour - Better yet, retire!

You know what? I am not all that big on forums. But I just signed up so I could post this reply.

But this whole Tom Boonen cocaine thing really gets me heated up. Who cares that cocaine is not a UCI banned or regulated substance. It is a recreational drug. I don't believe the silly ideas that cocaine was just floating through the air and he happened to breathe some in. If that is the case, it certainly would not show up in his hair for crying out loud. Lefevere suing if Bonnen can't participate is rediculous, like a 3-yr old, no wait, a 2-yr throwing a tantrum and crying and whinig for not getting his way, even though his way is the wrong way. Who cares that cocaine is not retulated by the UCI, ASO, WADA, or who ever, cocaine does not belong in the cyclying community. I love the tour. I am excited to watch it this year, very excited. But I will have to contemplate boycotting my viewing of the TdF if coke addict Tom is there. I don't care that he brings an additional $3,000,000,000 american dollars, euros, yen or what ever to France. HE DOES NOT BELONG IN THE TDF!!!!! How much worse can he make cycling look? Well, how bout we let him ride the tour, and for every stage win, instead of giving him a lion with cotton stuffing, it will be filled with baggies of coke so he can snort them on the stage podium for the whole world to see. WHAT A JOKE.

TOM - BE A MAN AND TELL LEFEVERE YOU ARE GOING TO DO THE WORLD A FAVOR AND SIT OUT THE TOUR TO LET CLEANER, MORE HONEST, MORE DESERVING RIDERS PARTICIPATE AND SAVE THE IMAGE OF CYCLING.

Astana was penalized last year (Contador especially) for someone else's actions. Astana was clean. I know that the TDF organizers didn't want to get burned again, but what is Boonen doing to them. It was a mistate to not allow Contador to race the TdF last year, and it will be a BIG BIG MISTAKE to let Tom "coke addict" not to mention "lying" Boonen enter the tour. BIG BIG BIG and HUGE DISGRACE.

Any questions? Seems pretty clear to me.

I feel much better now.

 

[BroDeal]

You know what? I am not all that big on forums. But I just signed up so I could post this reply.

But this whole Tom Boonen cocaine thing really gets me heated up. Who cares that cocaine is not a UCI banned or regulated substance. It is a recreational drug. I don't believe the silly ideas that cocaine was just floating through the air and he happened to breathe some in. If that is the case, it certainly would not show up in his hair for crying out loud. Lefevere suing if Bonnen can't participate is rediculous, like a 3-yr old, no wait, a 2-yr throwing a tantrum and crying and whinig for not getting his way, even though his way is the wrong way. Who cares that cocaine is not retulated by the UCI, ASO, WADA, or who ever, cocaine does not belong in the cyclying community. I love the tour. I am excited to watch it this year, very excited. But I will have to contemplate boycotting my viewing of the TdF if coke addict Tom is there. I don't care that he brings an additional $3,000,000,000 american dollars, euros, yen or what ever to France. HE DOES NOT BELONG IN THE TDF!!!!! How much worse can he make cycling look? Well, how bout we let him ride the tour, and for every stage win, instead of giving him a lion with cotton stuffing, it will be filled with baggies of coke so he can snort them on the stage podium for the whole world to see. WHAT A JOKE.

TOM - BE A MAN AND TELL LEFEVERE YOU ARE GOING TO DO THE WORLD A FAVOR AND SIT OUT THE TOUR TO LET CLEANER, MORE HONEST, MORE DESERVING RIDERS PARTICIPATE AND SAVE THE IMAGE OF CYCLING.

Astana was penalized last year (Contador especially) for someone else's actions. Astana was clean. I know that the TDF organizers didn't want to get burned again, but what is Boonen doing to them. It was a mistate to not allow Contador to race the TdF last year, and it will be a BIG BIG MISTAKE to let Tom "coke addict" not to mention "lying" Boonen enter the tour. BIG BIG BIG and HUGE DISGRACE.

All caps does not make your post any more clear. It just lumps it in with those of loons who use a random combination of caps, different sized fonts, and colored text.

So what if he used recreational drugs? It has nothing to do with competition. Cycling already has a bad image when it comes to drugs. It is not due to people snorting a line while they are out clubbing. It is due to people taking drugs that alter the results.

 

[Bala Verde]

Discussion is over thread closed

Het Nieuwsblad just reports that Boonen is not welcome in the TdF, a decision made by ASO

HERE