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Hamilton issues statement in his defense

By PR Newswire
Published: Nov. 23, 2004

Statement from U.S. Gold Medalist Tyler Hamilton Regarding Doping Charge
Tuesday November 23, 11:40 am ET
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statementfrom U.S. gold medalist Tyler Hamilton regarding doping charge:As an athlete I realize that sometimes you may have to lose a few racesto gain the knowledge on what it takes to win. Relating to my doping charge,I will say that, up to this point, I have been losing the "pr" war -- partiallybecause I naively thought that if I stated whole-heartedly that I havenever and would never engage in blood doping or any form of cheating --and waited for the process to exonerate me, I would be fine. I also naivelythought that officials within the various "anti-doping" organizations wouldwait for the due process before passing judgment on me publicly. AgainI was wrong. I know now that if I wait to discuss at least a few pointsof fact with the public, by the time I am fully exonerated, and I knowI will be exonerated, my reputation may be jeopardized.So with that being said, I would like to dispel some things that havebeen said inaccurately in the media.1. Despite indications to the contrary my A sample from the Olympics,the one that first brought on this issue, was initially determined to benegative for blood doping. When it was re-analyzed -- and I am not surewhy it was re- analyzed -- it was again deemed negative. It was not a clearlypositive test as it has been characterized. Instead, the results of bothnegative tests were reviewed by a "panel of experts" and then apparentlydeemed positive. This much review of one sample calls into question thevalidity of this test, which has been criticized by many very reputablescientists as being inaccurate and unreliable. To this day, I have notbeen provided any paperwork from the IOC that states my A Sample was positive.As blood testing is a fact of life for a professional cyclist, it iscritical that tests are reliable and proven. On that note, I have beentested over 50 times throughout my career and this is the first time Ihave ever even been questioned, so again this is new and beyond upsettingto me. Everyday throughout the world, somebody gets news of a false medicaltest result. Fortunately, in most of these cases the "false positive" iscorrectable.2. Again, contrary to what you have heard in the media, my B samplefrom the Olympics was not accidentally frozen. I have no idea why an officialwould lie about this procedure but for the record, the protocol is forthe B sample to be frozen when the A sample is negative. This was the casewith me after my A Sample was deemed negative and is why the lab frozethe B sample, as opposed to a lab "mistake."Moreover, comparing my test results from Athens to "test results" fromSpain reveal serious inconsistencies, which could mean that 1) the testitself is invalid; 2) the test method was not followed; or 3) that oneof the samples is not my blood. On this note, I have asked numerous timesfor my blood to be DNA tested. I have been turned down and also not beenallowed to have independent scientists review the findings. In addition,repeated requests to review the raw data and the testing protocol havebeen thwarted or denied. Doesn't that sound odd?To conclude, these are only a few points of the many that I will bebringing up during the examination process of my case, but I wanted peopleto have these facts to consider.I know we are living in an age where we unfortunately hear about athleteswho cheat and I have to admit that, prior to this, when I saw somethingon the news regarding doping or some kind of cheating, it seemed very blackand white. I have now learned that drug testing is very complicated, andmistakes can be made. I have always admitted when I have made tacticalmistakes in races, and I hope that when this case is over, the testersand the agencies involved will admit to their mistakes as well.I also believe that it is important to keep sports clean and whollyunderstand that testing is a necessity and will continue to adhere by therules. This is why it is all the more important that we have a processto expose doping/cheating that works. We need to have officials who protectthe process, which includes reserving judgment until all avenues are exploredand validated, and utilizing tests that are absolutely accurate. It isunfair to work through the kinks on new and unproven tests with athleteswho have trained a lifetime and whose whole livelihood can be eliminatedwith an inaccurate test.In the end, I am not a lawyer, scientist or a publicist so I am learninghow to win this particular race fairly in the only way I know, with thetruth. What I am is a guy who loves to ride his bike and compete and Ihave done so for 10 years without ever bending the rules.