TINIYAK ng Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (Philcycling) ang suporta nito kay Filipina cyclist Ariana Evangelista na pinatawan ng provisional suspension makaraang bumagsak sa drug test sa 19th Asian Games.
Ayon sa International Testing Agency, ang mountain-bike rider ay natuklasang gumamit ng erythropoietin (EPO) base sa kanyang blood at urine samples, Ang EPO ay isang performance-enhancing drug na karaniwang ginagamit ng mga siklista.
“It’s unfortunate that one of our finest riders in MTB, Ariana Evangelista, is provisionally suspended for Adverse Analytical Findings or AAFs, but as the national federation for cycling to which she is attached, the PhilCycling would extend all the support necessary to our athlete that go within the bounds of regulations of the WADA Independent Observers, WADA, NADO-Philippines, Olympic Council of Asia and Union Cycliste Internationale,” pahayag ng Philcycling sa isang statement nitong Huwebes.
“The PhilCycling, like all national federations under the wings of the Philippine Olympic Committee, will always be in support of its athletes and on the same level promote with vigor fair play in our sport at all times while condemning the use of illegal substances/doping.”
Ang drug test ay isinagawa noong September 24, subalit nakalahok pa si Evangelista sa women’s cross-country Olympic-mountain bike competition ng sumunod na araw kung saan tumapos siya sa ika-13 puwesto.
