When Quinton Hamilton finished twelfth in the 2009 Cross Country, he was one of only 8 Belizeans in the top fifteen. And indeed, as a cyclist who has been competitive at the highest level over 15 years, that kind of showing was not unexpected. But was his performance the result of performance enhancing drugs? That’s what most Belizeans are asking tonight after the Cycling Association announced that Hamilton tested positive for dexamethasone which is a banned substance. It’s a steroid, but an anti-inflammatory type, not commonly associated with doping, and usually used for asthma and other respiratory problems.
But, make no mistake, it is a steroid and a banned substance and Hamilton could face a two year suspension – and also becomes the first Belizean cyclist to test positive for steroids. More than that, his entire Sugar City Stars Cycling Team could be stripped of all prizes it won in the Cross Country. But that’s after a hearing. Right now, Hamilton is on an indefinite suspension. He’s communicated to the UCI – which is cycling’s governing body that he accepts the finding and has not asked for the testing of a b-sample. But the only reason he accepts the finding is because he uses dexamethasone to treat his asthma. He told Keith Swift his story today.
Quinton Hamilton, Suspended
“It is a form of a steroid but not an enhancement steroid whereby it is going to make me ride faster, it is not going to make me stronger, it is not going to make me better. It is not going to make me come first for no race. You really feel that I would come in 12th for Cross Country and I am taking steroids, that is going backwards. If you take steroids for enhancement you are supposed to win in the top five or something. So you have to watch the position too because then twelfth place is not a place you stress on for somebody who is taking steroids like how the newspaper said it: ‘Quinton the Baddest Tests Positive.’
It is not that kind of steroid you use to enhance performance. It is a steroid that I use for my medical condition for a respiratory system and I am an asthmatic right and in the past I have had medical conditions whereby doctors prescribed certain medications for me to use and this is something I’ll never stop using, I will continue using it for my medical condition.”
Keith Swift,
How long have you been using this substance?
Quinton Hamilton,
“Well I have used two or three different kinds of asthma medication. First I used to use a ventilum tablet but for the past six or seven years I have been using this drug that came up positive on the test.”
Keith Swift,
Did you know it was banned?
Quinton Hamilton,
“Well I was not certain because it is two kind of different medication and in cycling you have some substances that you can use, when it comes down to substance you can’t use no kind of substance but if you have a medical condition whereby you have a form to present to the drug agency, it is a process whereby you show the form when you go to the testing room to declare and in the past I had those kinds of forms already.”
Keith Swift,
You feel this will tarnish your image?
Quinton Hamilton,
“I am a big star in this country and how will it look if somebody who doesn’t really understand the situation and your son for instance will say I want to be like the ‘The Baddest,’ you don’ understand the situation and tell him I don’t want you to be like him because he is taking drugs. So it is tarnishing my name, it is tarnishing my character. Yes I am named ‘the Baddest’ but not bad those ways.”
Keith Swift,
You’ve been suspended from cycling temporarily. You have the National Road Championship coming up. You won’t be able to ride in that.
Quinton Hamilton,
“No. I am in the backseat right now, back of the bus.”
Keith Swift,
And how does that feel?
Quinton Hamilton,
“Well right now I am in very good condition and if everything goes well by next week Wednesday I think if the hearing comes the weekend before the race, I think I should be able to participate in the National Road Championship and the Father’s Day Classic, Father’s Day is right here.”
Keith Swift,
And if not, you will be bitter.
Quinton Hamilton,
“Like I said I will wait for the hearing, I will defend myself. I am just waiting for the hearing at this moment. I just glad you guys came to visit me home at my castle to clear my name and I will say it again, it is not something which I am using to ride. It is not a medication I am using for riding, it is for medical conditions and I won’t stop taking it. Thank you.”
It’s of note that in this year’s Cross Country, only five riders were tested: those were the first, second and third place finishers as well as two other randomly selected riders. According to his team manager Damian Gough, Hamilton could have asked for a special waiver for dexamethasone 3 weeks before the race, or could have disclosed his prescribed use of it when he did the test, but did neither. No date has been set for the hearing, but as we said he could be suspended for two years maximum or at a minimum simply be given a reprimand and a fine.
