Beke's Suspension to be Dropped?

Triathlon Forum
1

EPO test called into question

Researchers at the Catholic University in Leuven, Belgium (KUL) have cast doubt on the EPO-detecting urine test currently in use by the UCI. The researchers say that the test in potentially unreliable because it traces too many types of protein, leading to the risk of a false positive. After a race it is possible for athlete to excrete some of the proteins detected by the test, causing a positive result without the use of EPO.

World-Anti-Doping Agency researchers in Germany are working on an improved version of the test.

The KUL researchers looked into the test at the request of Belgian triathlete Rutger Beke who tested positive for EPO at a race in Knokke last year. Beke denied having used EPO and an investigation by the KUL researchers found he was producing the proteins detected by the test. His suspension is expected to be dropped next week.

2

bad, bad news…I posted this about a week ago…it sucks…you can expect that Virginia Berasategui will not have any problems then…
Maybe it would have paid for Nina Kraft and Brigitt McMahon to deny everything…

3

Well…IMO, if the equipment is in anyway faulty, the athlete should be found not guilty. That’s simple logic.

4

To clarify, my comments were not a dig at Rutger Beke. I don’t know the case, etc.

The reason I said it sucks is because before they come up with a better test, it’s going to take a while, and it will take even longer before it’s approved…in the meantime, cheaters will be able to use it.

I am sure everyone realizes that if these news had come out earlier (say early november 2004) then Nina Kraft would still be the winner of IMH 2004, because she could have just said the testing is not working.

5

Isn’t is possible he’s innocent?

If he’s naturalle producing some peptide(s) that are scored by the test as exogenous, shouldnt he be reinstated?

6

Quote : "I am sure everyone realizes that if these news had come out earlier (say early november 2004) then Nina Kraft would still be the winner of IMH 2004, because she could have just said the testing is not working. "

Agreed she could have said it. But can she prove it ?

7

From what the news report says, Beke was found to be producing the proteins that caused the test to flag postive. Presumably he was tested for these proteins at least one more time after his positive test. They could have tested Kraft again too - maybe she would have some up negative the second time demonstrating she’s not producing those proteins.