Cycling Federation Welcomes Brandon Cattouse Back

Brandon Cattouse

Elite cyclist Brandon Cattouse has been cleared of allegations that he used performance-enhancement drugs as an athlete who participated in the 2018 Valentine Classic.  While he initially tested positive for a prohibited substance, he has since been vindicated and is looking forward to continuing with his career as a top rider.  But is the Cycling Federation of Belize prepared to take him back?  Vice President Dion Leslie told the media today that there is no love lost and that the request for Cattouse to be tested was business as usual.

Dion Leslie

Dion Leslie, Vice President, Cycling Federation of Belize

“The truth is and I will say this, and I’ve said this to other people, the federation only pays, requests the test and pays for it.  After the test are carried out, the federation is only informed by NADO and so we honestly, we heard it the way the media heard it.  We have not gotten anything official from Dr. Pitts in writing, as a letter saying this is the stance or this is the thing.  Basically we sit down as observers once the tests are done.  We have no say in the suspension.  We have no say in anything as to how it is carried out, the protocol or the procedures; we’re just observers in that sense.  Until we get something legitimate then we move on from there.  Once it comes that he’s been vindicated and the suspension is over we will respect that as much as we would respect it if it were the other way around.  And that’s the point, that’s how the federation goes, we have no say when it comes to anti-doping and the results and the testing.  We just request it, we pay for it and from there it is handled by the National Anti Doping Organization, if anything more it goes to the Regional Anti Doping and then it goes to the World Anti Doping and we just sit as observers.”