Quinton “the Baddest” Hamilton tests positive for steriods

There is the first case of anti-doping to report in Belize. According to a press release from the Belize Cycling Association, results from the Belize National Anti-doping Agency show that cyclist, Quinton Hamilton, who participated in the eighty-first Annual Cross Country Cycling Classic has tested positive for dexamethasone. The drug is a steroid used to enhance the performance level of athletes and its use is prohibited by the Cycling Association. The B.C.A. says it will be conducting its own internal investigation and according to the Vice President, the cyclist could be suspended for two years.

Marco Reyes, Vice President, Belize Cycling Association
“To be fair to Mr. Hamilton his A sample came back positive. To follow procedures he can either have requested to retest his B sampling because mistakes can be done. And to ensure that it is a positive test and the follow protocols in terms of requesting hearing.”

Duane Moody
“Since the results came back, he apparently has been suspended temporarily from racing in any of the upcoming challenges?”

Marco Reyes
“There is a protocol that we have to follow and it’s governed by – it’s sent down to us through the U.C.I. and we were notified and he was notified I think on April twenty-eight of the positive test. Based on the outcome of that, we have to provisionally suspend him until the outcome of the investigation, which is conducted by the NADA, which is our National Developing Agent of Belize.”

Duane Moody
“If Mr. Hamilton is in the end ultimately found guilty so to speak of being positive for this drug and using this enhancement drug, what will be done with him? Will he be suspended indefinitely from challenges? Will he be banned from competing?”

Marco Reyes
“Everything is based on this investigation and the outcome of this investigation. A rider can be suspended in anything from one day to two years for something like this and again everything is based—we cannot say anything whatsoever or conclude anything until we get the outcome from the investigation.”

Hamilton placed twelfth in this years’ Holy Saturday Country Classic. In the eighty-one years of local cycling competition, cyclists have only been suspended for unruly behaviour.