Just like that, Tyler Hamilton is out of professional cycling.
Admitting to testing positive to a banned substance, Hamilton said Friday that there's nothing to fight about. The 38-year-old cyclist said he's retiring from cycling immediately.
According to the AP and ESPN, Hamilton said he tested positive after taking an over-the-counter anti-depressant. He told the AP:
“There's nothing to fight about. I took a banned substance. I accept the consequences. You make mistakes in your life and I accept the penalty like a man.”
Hamilton tragedy
In the world of cycling, it's two strikes and you're out — for good. A second violation brings an 8-year ban, which is pretty the length of a cyclist's career.
Hamilton's pro cycling career is a tragic rollercoaster of highs and lows. He won an Olympic gold medal, but was dogged by doping allegations that questioned his character.
Hamilton returned to pro cycling in late 2006 after serving a two-year ban for blood-doping after a highly contentious appeal. He has maintained his innocense in that case that started with a positive test during the 2004 Vuelta a Espana.
Knew consequences
Hamilton told the AP that he took an anti-depressant in February that he knew contained a banned substance — the steroid DHEA. He said he took the drug on a Saturday and Sunday; an out-of-competition surprise drug test the next day picked up the substance.
[Daily Peloton reports the “over-the-county antidepressant” was brand-name Mitamins-Advanced Formula for Depression. The label clearly states it contains DHEA. Hamilton had been taking the prescription antidepressant Celexa for several years, but stopped using it in January. The prescription drug carries a warning from the FDA regarding suicidal and aggressive behaviors if a dose is missed.]
[I checked the Mitamins website. They make custom-made formulations of herbal and homeopathic medications to cure what ails you, from depression to wrinkles to constipation. The depression component includes omega 3 fatty acids, St. John's Wort, Vitamin D and calcium citrate. Also, “Clinical research has suggested that taking DHEA orally might {emphasis added} improve the symptoms of depression.”]
The cyclist said he has been fighting depression lately, due to a divorce and his mother's battle with breast cancer. But he was first clinically diagnosed with depression back in 2003.
Career highlights
The highlight of his return came last year as a member of the Rock Racing cycling team when he won the 2008 US pro road championship in Greenville, South Carolina. At his teleconference on Friday, he said:
“I want to thank my fans, teammates, friends in the media and Michael Ball for making this chapter in my life so memorable.”
Michael Ball, owner of the Rock Racing cycling team said:
“It's a very tough day for me because my goal was to give Tyler a second chance.”
Before Hamilton's ban from cycling, he had won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics for the time trial.
Foundation
Hamilton was a stalwart of the US Postal Service pro cycling teams for several years and helped teammate Lance Armstrong win his first two Tours de France. His most famous tour, however, came as a member of CSC in 2003 when he broke his collarbone in the first stage yet continued in the race and actually won Stage 16.
Throughout his ups and downs over the years, Hamilton has been at the head of the Tyler Hamilton Foundation. The group raises funds, through bicycling events, to find the causes and treatment of multiple sclerosis.
More reading: ESPN's Bonnie Ford interviews teammates about Hamilton's binge drinking earlier this year and depression.
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