By Admin – Steroidal.com
Bradley Wiggins, winner of the Tour de France in 2012 and previous winner of 5 Olympic gold medals, has found himself in a bit of a situation. There has been speculation that Wiggins used steroids before three major cycling events.
Prentice Steffen was the team doctor when Wiggins was a member of the Garmin racing team. There was an illegal release of Wiggins private medical records. That release has resulted in some concern as to the fairness of his use of steroids. Such use is deemed legal by the World’s Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), under the therapeutic use exemption (TUE). Despite being legal, there is a major question raised about how unfair this made the competition. Wiggins raced against other competitors who were not under any enhancement of drugs. This could have resulted in his win.
Prentice Steffen has raised suspicion as to the timing of Wiggins injections. It has been revealed that on three separate occasions, Wiggins injected immediately before 3 major races; the Tour de France in 2011 and 2012 and in 2013 the Giro d’Italia. He won the Tour de France in 2012.
While Steffen questioned the rightfulness of Wiggins use, despite the TUE, he does not feel that Wiggins is solely responsible in the situation. He partly blames the leniency of the World’s Anti-Doping Agency and the TUE exemption. He feels that had this practice not been put into place the way that it was, that Wiggins may not have used that loophole and essentially taken advantage of the situation.
Bradley Wiggins has asthma and this is not something that has been kept a secret. It was made know to the public some time ago. This is what led to him applying for the therapeutic use exemption in the first place. On the application for the TUE, it stated that he needed the drug to treat a “lifelong allergy to pollen, nasal congestion/rhinorrhea, known allergy to grass pollen, sneezing, throat irritation, wheezing leading to Dysnopnoea, eye watering, and runny nose.” Others have speculated that the drug was used simply as a preventive measure by Wiggins. A preventive measure that resulted in enhancing his chances of winning the races.
From an outside perspective, it is easy to see both sides of the spectrum in this argument. Sure, the drugs enhanced his potential and ability to win. One of those years, he did indeed win. But, the questions remain, would he have been able to perform at his full potential had he not taken the drugs? It is hard to say one way or another really.
There are many loopholes in the policy and procedures of the World’s Anti-Doping Agency and the TUE exemption. Loopholes that could lead to more of these type of issues in the future. Perhaps this is something that needs to be addressed by the committee in the near future. As to the stake of his winning title in 2012, it remains in place as of now. Time will tell if someone should decide to create a stink and try to have it revoked.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/23/bradley-wiggins-former-doctor-questions-use-banned-steroid
