Patrice Ciprelli confessed the purchase of EPO
It was revealed earlier by L’EquipeTV that Patrice Ciprelli, husband and trainer of the world class female cyclist Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli admitted the purchase of EPO in 2010 and 2011.
Ciprelli explained that he purchased the hormone Erythropoietin drug for his own personal use and it had nothing to do with his wife.
The nine times UCI World Road Champion, Jeannie Longo is considered as one of the most versatile female cyclists of all time and the news is a definite blow to her trustworthiness.
French Cycling Federation announced a disciplinary action against the cyclist last year. She failed to provide sufficient whereabouts information and also missed out on a doping test in 2011.
Her unavailability raised a lot of eye brows and Olivier Niggli, World Anti-Doping Agency Legal Adviser briefed that the cyclist might face a two-year ban from professional cycling.
However, French Cycling Federation cleared Jeannie form the allegations by stating that Longo was not on the list of athletes subject to testing by AFLD.
The cyclist was hence not required to inform about her whereabouts.
It was revealed that EPO was sent from China and there is no concrete proof that Longo used the drug in any form.
However, L’Equipe published some evidence which ruined the cyclist’s credibility back in 2011.
It states, "Ciprelli did not mention her name, but he talked of his wife. I understood that Longo was the beneficiary of the EPO, based on the messages. But he insisted to pay for it himself and that the package should be sent to a third person".
She has represented France in a total number of four Olympic Games and claimed one gold, two silver and a bronze medal at the Olympic Games.
The 53-year-old holds four gold, three silver and three bronze medals at the UCI Track World Championships.
Her husband was taken in to custody yesterday after French central office for public health and the prevention of environmental damage (OCLAESP) officials searched their house in Grenoble.
Ciprelli earlier denied the charges but his confession will definitely ruin Jeannie’s image and her whereabouts violations last year might also be taken in to account once again.
Only time will tell the reality as the mystery behind Longo’s winning streak and her husband’s drug associations unfolds.
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