"I did not knowingly take Zeranol." Mathias Flückiger denies the doping allegations levelled against him. Almost three weeks ago, it became known that the Swiss mountain biker had tested positive for an anabolic substance at the beginning of June (BIKE reported).
Flückiger's press office has now published a press release stating that the A sample from 5 June 2022 did indeed contain small amounts of the banned substance Zeranol were determined.
However, the quantity of 0.3 ng/ml found in the A sample by a Lausanne laboratory was so low that it should not be considered a positive result, but at most an "atypical" result. This is provided for in a corresponding WADA instructions for action (World Anti-Doping Agency) for values up to a maximum of 5 ng/ml, because people can also ingest anabolic steroids by eating contaminated meat. In addition, two further doping tests by Flückiger a few days before and a few days after the test on 5 June were negative.
The WADA-accredited Lausanne laboratory apparently also pointed out in its doping control report on the A sample that the result could indicate the consumption of contaminated meat. Zeranol was used to increase growth in animal fattening until it was banned throughout the EU in 1985, but can also enter the animal via feed contaminated with mould.
Meanwhile, Mathias Flückiger is investigating how the Zeranol detection could have come about. He has already commissioned a hair analysis and reported it to the Swiss Anti-Doping Foundation. Swiss Sport Integrity assured him of its full support. On 18 August, the latter had reported the investigation against Mathias Flückiger for a possible violation of the anti-doping law, which was wrong from Flückiger's point of view. A B sample has not yet been requested.
Sebastian Brust
Editor
