Sam Laidlow lashes out at accusations of cheating
World champion's Instagram post confirms that he's under investigation by the International Testing Agency
Photo by:
Kevin Mackinnon
The reigning Ironman World Champion has lashed out at “Some frustrated humans (who) have accused me of cheating the sport.” In a post on Instagram (see below), France’s Sam Laidlow says that he’s “ready to go to war for the sport I love so dearly.”
“I have poured my heart and soul into my performances and my recent world title,” Laidlow continued. “I know who I am and I am willing to expose all my past medical exams and blood passport. I have NEVER asked for a TUE in my life and have never even touched “the grey zone” that some athletes maybe do. No drugs, no needles, no hormones, nothing!”
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Laidlow then goes on to identify a number of individuals (including athletes who he says have “accused me several times with no evidence.” According to Laidlow, an investigation has been started through the International Testing Agency (ITA) which he “is happy to comply with.”
Why the ITA?
In January of this year Ironman handed over “Results Management” along with “Intelligence and Investigations” to the ITA. To run a compliant World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) program, an organization must have an investigations department. Ironman outsourced that component to the ITA. The ITA handles investigations around doping allegations, and all Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) violations are reported to the ITA, which handles any legal matters that may arise through the process (arbitration, etc.)
What this does is provide transparency for Ironman. When an AAF is reported, it automatically goes to Ironman, WADA and the ITA at the same time. (In other words, Ironman can’t be accused of “covering up” any offences.)
Investigation
In the comments to Laidlow’s post one of the athletes he mentioned in his post confirmed that the ITA was looking into the allegations, specifically mentioning “growth hormones.” Laidlow also identifies an athlete who “invent(ed) rumours based on my feet growing slightly when I was 19.”
Normally investigations like this remain confidential until there is something to report.
We’ve reached out to the ITA and others mentioned in Laidlow’s post for comment and will provide updates as they become available.
