Now focused on return to Kona

August 9, 2005 - San Francisco, CA - Belgian triathlete Rutger Beke has been found not guilty of using banned substances (specifically EPO) by the Flemish Disciplinary Commission on Tuesday.

On March 4, 2005 the Flemish Disciplinary Commission handed down an 18-month suspension to Beke based on test results obtained at the Knokke Triathlon held in Belgium back in September of 2004. Beke has maintained his claim of innocence all along. Over the last 10 months Beke compiled a team of scientists and medical professionals to help understand why he would have tested positive for EPO when in fact he had never used any performance enhancing substances. During the appeals process, the scientific evidence was presented and eventually led the Commissions independent scientific expert, professor Bogaerts of the University of Leuven, to state that there was no scientific evidence to prove that Rutger Beke had ever taken any banned substances. With that finding, the Commission made a final ruling of not-guilty and Beke can once again pursue his dreams of winning the Ironman World Championships.

“Today is a great day for me. After 10 painful months, the appeal court (Flemish Disciplinary Commission) has come to the conclusion that I have NOT taken EPO last year in September”, commented Beke.

“With the help of scientists, I have proven that I can test positive on the existing WADA EPO-test without ever taking any EPO. This is what happened in Knokke and explains why I have been falsely accused. Even the director of the French Wada-lab (the lab that invented the EPO test) has admitted that I am innocent. Now that I have been fully cleared from this doping accusation, I can focus again on my job and my favorite sport. My number one objective remains to win the Ironman Hawaii one of these years”, said Beke.

“We are excited to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel”, said Chris McCrary, Bekes’ agent in the U.S. We were confident that if we stayed the course and presented our scientific findings that the facts would eventually come out and Rutger would be cleared”, commented McCrary. “Our hope is that the time, money and scientific analysis that went into the effort to clear Rutger will lead to some dramatic changes in the way WADA tests for EPO. It’s far too easy to accuse an athlete of wrong doing, but the effects of a false positive drug test can have long lasting financial and emotional ramifications that could take years to undo, said McCrary.

Upon hearing the good news, Beke spent the evening celebrating with his wife Sofie, family and friends who have been by his side during the entire ordeal. Beke plans to race the Half Ironman Monaco followed by several weeks of training in the south of France.

“We fully expect that the World Triathlon Corporation will honor the not guilty decision and allow Rutger to race in the World Championships this October. We plan to speak with them tomorrow and present the official paperwork from the Belgian Triathlon Federation which leaves no doubt that this situation is finally behind us, said McCrary.

About Rutger Beke:
Birthdate: August 8, 1977 Halle (Belgium)
Resides:   Leuven, Belguim 
Education: - Secondary school (College) Math-Science
- 1st year Physical Education ( Catholic University Leuven)
- 1st year Social Sciences

Rutger is currently 28 years old. After finishing the 2003 Ironman World Championships, Rutger stayed in Kona to marry his girlfriend Sofie Geeraerts. Sofie is a physiotherapist and also a recreational triathlete. Rutger has a brother (Bjorn) and a sister (Maja). As a child, Rutger lived in the U.S. for two years (Palo Alto, California), during which he went to the local primary school and learned to speak English.

Rutger became a professional triathlete in January 2003. He is sponsored by Arinso-Bik and is the team leader of the Arinso-Bik Triathlon Team. Before turning pro, Rutger worked as a lifeguard in local pools in and around Leuven.

About Katalyst Multisport Management:
Founded on the most basic principals of integrity, experience and creativity, Katalyst is committed to extending the reach and influence of the multisport lifestyle.
www.katalystmultisport.com

For more information please contact:
Chris McCrary
Katalyst Multisport Management
(415) 215-3412
chris.mccrary@katalystmultisport.com