Shelby, Jerry and Shalane and the lawyer made some very powerful statements at the press event today. I know many of you won't watch to an hour-;ong video so we are going turn today's press event into a podcast as it's much easier for you all to listen to something of that length while commuting or running. In the meantime, we've also spliced out Shelby, Jerry's and Shalane's opening statements. Some of my favorite quotes from Shelby are below.
Shelby said:
Although my (drug testing) levels were consistent with those who of subjects in studies who were tested after eating (contaminated pork) and WADA technical guidelines required the lab to consider it when analyzing nandrolone, the lab never accounted for this possibility. They could have recorded this as an atypical finding and followed up with further testing.
The anti-doping experts I’ve reached out to say they should have. I’ve done everything I could to prove my innocence. I’ve passed a polygraph test. I had my hair sampled by one of the world’s foremost toxicologists. WADA agreed that there is no buildup of the substance in my body which there would have been if I had been taking it regularly. Nothing moved the lab from their initial snap decision. …..
One June 11th, I received the news that the Court of Arbitration did not accept my explanation of what had occurred and has subsequently banned me from the sport for four years. I feel completely devastated, lost, broken, angry, confused and betrayed by the very sport that I’ve loved and poured myself into just to see how good I was.
I want to be very clear. I’ve never taken any performance-enhancing substances and that includes that of which I’m being accused. I believe in the sport and I believe in pushing your body to the limit just to see where that limit is. I’m not interested in cheating. I don’t do this for the accolades, money or for people to know my name. I do this because I love it. I have so much fun doing it and it’s always the best part of my day.
The sport means everything to me. I believe doping and cheating is weak. It shows a disbelief in yourself and not only shames you but also shows a complete disregard for the people that support you. I would never disrespect the sport, my competitors, my teammates, my coaches, my family, my fans or myself in this way. I love and respect the sport too much.
Here is her whole opening statement.
https://youtu.be/-CL698I0qx0Here is the whole press event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jtMMxBPxGgUpdate. It's now up as a podcast if your favorite podcast player. Search for Track Talk or click below.
https://podcast.letsrun.com/episode/ea8a5c16/full-shelby-houlihan-press-conference