Last week it became public information that Belgian triathlete Rutger Beke tested positive for EPO. Beke finished second at Ironman Hawaii in 2003 and fifth in 2004. He was reported to have tested positive for EPO with his A and B samples at a triathlon in Belgium on September 1. Belgian news reports indicated that Beke, 27, was notified of the positive test on September 20. Further stories on his positive test mentioned his high hematocrit level, however there was no indication that his hematocrit levels were 50% or higher, which is the level that would trigger sanctions. A positive EPO test is unrelated to hematocrit levels.

Chris McCrary, a US based representative for Beke, said in an interview that Beke's positive test was leaked to the press and that it should not have been made public until further steps had been taken in the judicial process. It is unknown who leaked the information. Because the case was still in process, Beke was not prohibited from racing at Ironman Hawaii even though he was aware of his positive test. If the positive test holds up Beke will not be awarded, or will have to return, his $12,500 prize money from this year's Ironman Hawaii and will be disqualified from the race. Beke was also drug tested after Ironman Hawaii.

According to McCrary, the next step in the process for Beke is to meet with the Belgian authority handling the case, which should take place within the next 8 weeks. “Rutger and his team will be given access to the details of both the A and B samples. They will be allowed to do their investigation,” said McCrary. “As of Sunday Beke still had not been given access to his testing records.”

Beke maintains his innocence and vows to fight the case. According to McCrary, Beke is “absolutely devastated by this. He is confused. He is depressed. He knows for a fact that he has not used any banned substance.” McCrary also added, “The bottom line is that we are going to be open with all of the information, regardless of whether it is good or bad news for Rutger.”

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The following statement was released last week by Chris McCrary of Katalyst Multisport Management:

San Francisco, CA - On behalf of Rutger Beke, Katalyst Multisport Management and the Arinso-Bik Triathlon Team we would like to shed some light on the serious allegations that have been made public about Rutger Beke in the last 48 hours.

First and foremost, Rutger Beke emphatically denies EVER using any illegal performance enhancing products. He has been an outspoken opponent of the use of such products and is perplexed and saddened by what has happened. Rutger plans to do everything in his power to get to the bottom of this situation and clear his name. Rutger has been tested numerous times in his professional career and has never submitted a positive test. Rutger and his wife Sophie are currently in route back to Belgium from Hawaii.

On September 1, 2004 Rutger Beke won the Knokke Triathlon in Belgium. He voluntarily submitted a urine sample for testing and complied with all pre and post race testing protocol. This has been the case for the past several years at this race and Rutger had no reason to avoid any testing since he has never used any illegal substances.

The initial testing of Rutger's A-sample and B-sample was positive for EPO. However, it is important to understand that this is only one step in a very delicate and sensitive protocol that must be followed precisely before a final ruling is made. The testing of EPO in urine is not an exact science by any stretch of the imagination and there are numerous outside factors that could result in a false positive test. There should not be a rush to judgment based solely on the current facts. Until such time as all protocols have been accurately administered, verified and a final ruling handed down, Rutger should be considered innocent of any improprieties.

Rutger and the Arinso-Bik Triathlon team have assembled a team of experts including Jan Olbrecht to review the way in which the samples were collected, stored and tested. Additionally, they will study Rutgers biological makeup to help determine how he could have produced a positive EPO test when in fact he has never used any such product. In fact, Rutger has voluntarily agreed to be followed and tested for as long as it takes to understand how his body could have produced this type of result.

Clearly this is a very difficult and emotional time for Rutger and his wife Sophie. His sponsors Arinso and Bik along with his team members and Katalyst Multisport Management support Rutger 100%. A rush to judgment in this type of situation is not warranted and we ask for your patience as we unravel this situation. We will continue to provide as much information as possible in the coming weeks to support his innocence.