7 News Belize

The Brandon Polarity
posted (July 13, 2018)
And one issue that sharply divides the two camps is Brandon Cattouse. The celebrated cyclist is currently on a provisional ban for using a prohibited substance, while awaiting a hearing before the Regional Anti Doping Organization.

But Cattouse sidestepped RADO and got a Supreme Court injunction forcing the Federation to allow him to ride in the National Road Championship. Rather than risk that, the Federation, under Butler's de facto leadership, postponed the race.

Tonight, we have what both sides think of the Cattouse situation and postponing the important race:..

Orson Butler, Seeking Presidency - BCF
"He is on a provisional suspension by NADO. His case is forward to the regional anti-doping body which is in Panama. That is the body that deals with the arbitration and the hearing for these types of suspension. So right now at the moment the cycling federation and NADO just have to wait until that process is finish before anything else can be said or done."

Jules Vasquez, reporter "You and Brandon Cattouse are very good friends. What is your take on the entire Brandon Cattouse situation?"

Alexi Ordonez
"I believe that all athletes should have a right to stand up for themselves for and foremost and now it's in the hands of an international arbitrator and certain procedures were not handle right and I respect what he is doing and if Brandon is found guilty then there is now way that I have any power to save anything like that."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Your take on the national road championship now being postponed?"

Alexi Ordonez
"I think it's slightly unfair on behalf of the other 90-99 percent of cyclists to postponed a race that you are mentally and physically prepared for on a said day. Even people who are investing in this sport - from outside they have to travel and accommodation - so on that behalf I believe it was unfair not only to the elites, but also to the females and junior, which I sincerely believe that the race for them shouldn't have been postponed."

Orson Butler, Seeking Presidency - BCF
"This is the only race that's sanctioned by UCI. What is does is that our athletes, the national champion, he is recognized locally and internationally by his jersey. If you have a suspended rider riding, he is disqualified and also the results of the event is disqualified. So in lay man's term what it means is that our national champion will not be recognized. So when we go internationally and you decide to put this rider in your national champion jersey, he will then ask to be use the Belize jersey. So people need to understand the process of this. If the results is denied then you have no national champ for 2018. So that's why the federation seeks the advice of the UCI before we postponed our event, because we want our national champ to be recognized. We have international events that we go to."

The National Road Championship may be held in August. The election for a new Cycling Federation will be held tomorrow.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize