January 20, 2006

Tested positive for blood doping
`It's over,' says Quebec phenom

Genevieve Jeanson was once touted as a future Wayne Gretzky of cycling.

The young Quebecer had the whole package: She was a double world junior champion with an angelic face that belied a ferocious competitive spirit, and she was well-spoken in two languages.

But Jeanson's career is now over at age 24 after she tested positive in two tests administered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on July 25 for the illegal blood booster EPO during the Tour de Toona in Pennsylvania. She tested clean in a test done by the International Cycling Union two days later, but a USADA review board recommended she be banned for life.

Jeanson told the Montreal daily La Presse she will fight to clear her name, but is retiring from the sport.

``It's over,'' she said. ``I don't want anything to do with cycling. I'm tired of fighting and repeating that I have never taken EPO or any banned substance.

``I've spent almost as much energy defending myself against accusations of doping as I have on racing.

She already had one strike against her after missing a doping test at a race in Belgium in 2004. Jeanson races under an American licence because of a dispute with the Quebec federation after she was not allowed to compete in the road race at the 2003 world championships because she failed a blood test.

"It's just a shame because I think she is a real talent and could have gone a long ways in cycling and done a lot for Canada and for herself," said veteran cyclist Anne Samplonius. "I think she's been led down a wrong path."

Jeanson's name was also prominent in the Quebec College of Physicians' inquiry into Dr. Maurice Duquette, who pleaded guilty in 2003 to 14 counts of administering banned drugs, including a charge that he had given EPO to Jeanson. Duquette later asked that his guilty plea to Jeanson be retracted.

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