Blog Corner

from dec. 5th 2008 cyclingnew.com
Latest Cycling News for December 5, 2007
Edited by Gregor Brown, with assistance from Susan Westemeyer

Eufemiano Fuentes concerned about sport's impact on athletes
Doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, the Spaniard at the centre of the Operación Puerto affair that erupted in May 2006, spoke out about the negative consequences of professional sports on its athletes' health. The 52 year-old was invited as a special guest to a conference of sports medicine during the Vuelta a Maspalomas, a Spanish event attended by 300 cyclo-tourists.

The kids at Towne Meadows Elementary School in Gilbert, Arizona were visited by members of the RideClean Cycling team in an ongoing community outreach effort to bring a message about positive life choices. Featuring an inter-woven message surrounding bicycles, balance, and drugs, the program seeks to connect to kids through the use of a bicycle and show them that high-level achievement is possible while doing the right thing. The objective of the KidzRideClean program is to make a difference in the life of one child athlete. The response from the kids, the teachers, and the administrators was overwhelming and RideClean wishes to thank the principal, Barb Osland, and her staff for assisting with the program.

this appeared in velonews.com

"There is a choice in cycling," Vaughters said. "You can choose to turn a blind eye and cheer for glory at all costs. You can write gauzy stories about artificial heroes, or you can choose to cheer for humanity and choose to celebrate the rarity of victory and perfection."

With the cycling season, at least Pro Tour road racing, winding down, you'd think the doping scandals - issues would follow suit....but things remain a bit crazy:

Mayo's B sample will be re-tested for EPO
Landis appeals the decision that stripped him of the 2006 TdF
A Predictor Lotto rider Leukemans claims having sex immediately before his control test is responsible for his high testosterone levels (even synthetic testosterone)
Nathan O'Neil was suspended from HealthNet after testing positive for an appetite supressant

You can be the judge on Bettini's take on supplying DNA. Please read on.

I supplied DNA for a genetics lab class using a cheek swab, didn't feel like being a serial killer?

VeloNews 12-7-07
Thursday's EuroFile: Bettini says he'd quit rather than supply DNA
By staff and wire reports
This report filed December 7, 2006

World and Olympic champion Paolo Bettini said Thursday he would rather quit cycling than have to produce a DNA sample as part of the sport's fight against drugs.