Cycling: Drugs threaten cyclist's career

By PHIL TAYLOR

Track cyclist Anthony Peden could be facing the end of his career, after confessing to having a banned drug in his system and withdrawing from Athens.

Peden, 33, faces a maximum ban of two years after taking the cortisone-type substance Triamcinolone.

Bike New Zealand chief executive Rodger Thompson said documentation was being collected and Peden would be interviewed. "It will be investigated. If it comes out ... that penalties should be applied then it will be established at that stage."

The Sports Disputes Tribunal of Sport and Recreation New Zealand was likely to be involved, he said.

The international cycling body, the UCI, can also take action. It is a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) code under which an admission is deemed proof of doping and a two-year ban normally applies.

The exceptions are when an athlete can prove they are not at fault, in which case there may be no penalty if it is a first offence, or that they are not at significant fault. A one-year ban then applies.

Officials spoken to by the Weekend Herald believe it is unlikely Peden could prove no fault.

He is experienced at international level, having represented New Zealand since 1998 after switching allegiance from Australia.

Peden was to have competed in the keirin - a sprint event - last Wednesday but didn't get to Athens, instead flying home to Newcastle, Australia, after a belated application for a medical dispensation to the IOC and Wada were turned down.

His failure to follow the correct procedure when banned drugs are required for medical problems has embarrassed New Zealand sport and disappointed New Zealand Sports Drug Agency chief Graeme Steel.

"He has been in the system a long time and to think that he hasn't taken the proper steps, and at the Olympics of all places, is extremely disappointing," said Mr Steel, who is in Athens as deputy of a Wada committee observing the dope-testing process.

According to a published report, Peden also took a cortisone injection to ease pain from a back complaint at the Olympics in Sydney. It said he was treated by New Zealand medical staff in the Games village.

Drugs such as cortisone can be used if a therapeutic use exemption is obtained.