THE identities and nationalities of three cyclists who tested positive for drugs at the conclusion of the annual `Tour of Guyana’ five-stage cycle road race are yet to be released.But according to information received by Chronicle Sport from a very reliable source, a Guyanese cyclist is among the trio.
However, Guyana Olympic Association’s (GOA) Treasurer Garfield Wiltshire, who was a chaperon during the tests conducted by the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) after the five-stage event was completed on November 1, told Chronicle Sport he is not in a position to say who the three cyclists are and what their nationalities are.
Wiltshire explained that a release was sent to local media houses by the Executive Director of RADO, Tessa Chaderton-Shaw, which stated that RADO or her, never stated the nationalities of the cyclists who tested positive and she (Shaw) will not do so now.
This according to the release will be made known when lawyers for the three cyclists implicated have concluded their deliberations.
According to another section of the media,Guyana’s Dr. Karen Pilgrim, who is a vice-president of the Guyana Olympic Association ((GOA) and a Doping Control Officer (DCO) is quoted as saying if any of the cyclists are indeed Guyanese, their `Result Management’will be handled by the Caribbean RADO and no details will be available until that process is complete.
The 10 cyclists who were randomly selected for testing were Guyana’s Raynauth Jeffrey, Hamzah Eastman, Raul Leal, Alonzo Greaves and Geron Williams.
The others were Jamol Eastman and Darren Matthews of Barbados, Marloe Rodman (Jamaica) and Colombian Jaime Ramirez.
Another Colombian, Carlos Ospina, refused to take the test, claiming that the facility at which the tests were being conducted was unsanitary.
The urine tests were sent to a World Anti-Doping Association recognised lab and the results of the cyclists ‘A’ samples were subsequently returned to RADO a few weeks ago.
Those tested positive were reportedly informed of the results and will be given a chance to, if they wish, have their ‘B’ Samples sent to be tested.
If they still are not pleased with the results if positive, they can then seek justice in the courts.
(Michael DaSilva)