3athlon - #dnf is no option

Mittwoch, 26. Juni 2013

Video: Virginia Berasategui Luna admits doping referring to high demands in sport and psychological pressure

Former Ironman Hawaii Triathlon bronze medalist Virginia Berasategui Luna admits doping. In a press conference held on Wednesday she referred to immense "psychological pressure" and "high demands" the sport of triathlon puts on her. Berasategui, who planned to end her career in 2013 was caught on 18 May 2013 in a competition testing in Bilbao, Spain. EPO, the banned substance was found the second time during her career. But a positive finding in 2005 at Ironman Lanzarote was declared not valid, due issues with transportation and cooling.

Video: Deia Noticias de Bizkaia

"I'm sad to end my career like this, but I'm glad I made the decision to confront the reality of things, tell the truth. I have decided that I won't appeal because I know my guilt. I could have tried to move on, look for external causes, but why? I've decided to face the truth, because life goes on and I continue to be open and honest."

Regarding her peer group, she showed sorrow and asked for "forgiveness from all the people who I've cheated, especially those people who have always believed in me. My sponsors, institutions, all athletes, amateur and professionals. I know my act of weakness has been great but it comforts me to think that there are many people that despite the action that I made, the first victim I am myself, forgive me. I'm here to stand up and apologize. Throughout my career I have spent hundreds of controls and has always been clear that I played fair. Now, at the end of my career, I have fallen in the worst mistake in which an athlete can fall."

Berasategui Luna dealt long term during her career with lower leg and feet issues. Berasategui Luna is one of the few pros in triathlon, that is not taking every possible legal action against a positive A-sample. The last notable name, who admitted right on her positive testing was Nina Kraft from Germany, who cheated during Ironman Hawaii 2004.

Comment: Do I like this confession? Nay, because...

.... some things are missing. Positive first. A big plus is the early confession, that relivies every stakeholder from legal proceedings. What I personally miss is a clear confession with estimated time ranges, when doping started. I'm not sure, if "at the end of my career" satisfies me. I'm demanding this, because the flowery phrase "hundreds of controls and has always been clear" unleashes some alarm bells. Usually this or similar phrases indicated in the past, that one is not willing to give a full statement like "I did not doped from time range A to B." Also missing are some words on the network behind. What about supply chain and supporters?

IROMAN acquires YWC Copenhagen with races in Aarhus and Copenhagen, blow for TEAMChallenge

IRONMAN today announced the acquisition of YWC Copenhagen. The privately held company organizes several triathlons and edurance sport events throughout Denmark including the popular KMD Challenge Copenhagen and KMD Challenge Aarhus. YWC’s events are a strong addition to the global IRONMAN calendar. Details on the event schedule will be released over the next two weeks.

The competition between World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) and TEAMChallenge heats up again, as WTC acquires several races in Europe after they lost Pencticton, Canada to Challenge. Challenge itself was not able to consolidate their former long distance race in Australia. Screenshot: TEAMChallenge

Andrew Messick, CEO, IRONMAN: “IRONMAN is committed to growth in Europe as there is great passion for the sport of triathlon here. YWC has a strong line-up of triathlons and we are excited to help advance the sport in Denmark.”

Jeppe Rindom, Chairman of the Board, YWC Sports: “The two triathlon events in Copenhagen and Aarhus are both one of a kind with huge international potential. Our ambition has always been to create events of international and world-class scale. “We believe putting the IRONMAN brand to the two events will make them fulfill just that.”

Pia Allerslev, Mayor of Culture and Leisure City of Copenhagen: “Copenhagen is an excellent and progressive scene for major events and IRONMAN helps brand us as an active city with an international perspective.” We are looking forward to hosting and supporting all the international participants and sports fans.”

Karen Nielsen, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, KMD: “It has been an absolute pleasure to support YWC Sports as title sponsor for the triathlon events since 2011. We have experienced a very positive development on both the professional and amateur triathlon scene in Denmark, and triathlon has been booming in Denmark since the first Challenge Copenhagen in 2010. We look forward to see what the future brings working with IRONMAN.”

Lars Bernhard Jørgensen, CEO, Wonderful Copenhagen: “Since day one, KMD Challenge Copenhagen, placed itself as a strong, well produced and unique sporting event, in the middle of Copenhagen. Todays news marks a significant accomplishment for the entire organization behind the event, the sponsors and the city of Copenhagen.”

Lars Lundov, CEO Sport Event Denmark: “We have been very pleased with the presence of the KMD Challenge events in Copenhagen and Aarhus since 2010. YWC Sports has worked hard to build successful triathlons in Denmark and we see this new collaboration with IRONMAN as a great way to further develop major sport events here in Copenhagen while attracting more international participants and bringing attention to our city.”