Sebastian Salas hit with two-year sanction for anti-doping violation
The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced that Sebastian Salas, the former rider with Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies, has received a two-year sanction for an anti-doping rule violation. The violation, tampering with doping control, occurred during in-competition testing on July 10, 2013, during BC Superweek.
Salas admitted to the doping-control violation, waived his right to a hearing and accepted a two-year sanction, which will end Aug. 1, 2015. The Vancouver native is now banned from any sport included in the Canadian Anti-Doping Program, as well as training with former teammates.
“It is unfortunate to learn that an athlete in our sport has been seen to have competed outside the rules of the Canadian Anti-doping Program,” said John Tolkamp, president of Cycling Canada Cyclisme, in a statement. “The fact that the rigorous testing regime of the national body with the collaboration of the CCES identified the problem should serve as a reminder to any that would cheat that they will be caught and sanctioned appropriately. We will continue to enhance our efforts to educate around doping in our sport so that all athletes are able to compete on a fair and equal basis.”
On Twitter, Salas indicated that there are more details to the violation, more details than could be conveyed over the micro-blogging site. He then posted his phone number on the public site; although, it appeared he was only planning to offer explanations to the originators of the post. Canadian Cycling Magazine called his number and was directed to voice mail.
@brodyisaak @jeffwerner @IcemanYVR there is way more to the story. 140chars is not a lot.
— Sebastian Salas (@SebSalas) January 20, 2014
@brodyisaak @jeffwerner @IcemanYVR I would love nothing more than to call each and every one of you. Offer is open – 778 233 6044
— Sebastian Salas (@SebSalas) January 20, 2014
This is not just another Canadian Cyclist, Sebastian is someone I rode with, raced with, and wished the best for. It is also sad.
— John Tolkamp (@jtolkamp) January 20, 2014