Local cyclist Alanzo Greaves has been suspended for one year by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), after he failed an anti-doping test last year.
Greaves was one of 10 cyclists who was identified by the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation for random testing at the conclusion of the Tour of Guyana Five-Stage in November 2015.
Alonzo Greaves
The Disciplinary Panel noted that Greaves admitted the charge, but stated that the infraction was not intentional. This is his first violation and he waived his right to have the “B” sample analyzed.
It was therefore decided that Greaves shall be disqualified in respect of the Tour of Guyana Five-Stage Cycle Race and any prize money and ranking points obtained therein shall be forfeited. The 12-month period of ineligibility started on November 1, 2015 and ends on November 1, 2016.
During this period, Greaves would be barred from participating in any capacity in any event or activity or competition authorised, organised or sanctioned by the Guyana Olympic Association, and is ineligible to participate in any capacity in any national, regional or international sport activity for a period of 12 months.
Interestingly enough, this publication learnt that Greaves only received official notice of his suspension on Friday (April 29).
Apart from Greaves, who rides for Team Mengoni, Team Coco’s Carlos Ospina was identified for testing, but refused owing to “insanitary conditions.” Ospina had won the Tour of Guyana Five-Stage, but due to his refusal, he was stripped of the title.
His teammates Darren Matthews, Jaime Ramirez, Raynauth Jeffrey and Hamzah Eastman, along with Raul Leal (Team Gillette Evolution), Geron Williams (Continental), Marloe Rodman (Heatwave) and Jamal Eastmond (Heatwave) were also tested.
The fate of the other eight riders is unknown at this time.
