http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/02/13/7716_gold-coast-sport.html
13Feb08
GOLD Coast triathlete Rebekah Keat’s $60,000 fight to officially clear her
name has begun.
The 29-year-old yesterday filed a lawsuit against Hammer Nutrition in
California, alleging her positive drug test in 2004 was caused by the
use of the company’s supplements which were contaminated with the steroid
precursor norandrostenedione.
It comes after the former junior triathlon and duathlon world champion
was suspended from her sport for two years after failing a drug test
following her win in the 2004 Ironman Western Australia.
Although she returned to competition last year and was crowned
Australian ironman triathlon champion, Keat said the legal action was part of the
vindication process and not about the money.
“The pain of being labelled a drug cheat and not being able to clear my
name was soul destroying and something I would not wish upon my worst enemy,”
said Keat, who is being represented by Californian-based law firm Howard
L. Jacobs.
“All it’s about is me clearing my name.
“I wouldn’t care if I don’t get anything as long as I can name this
company and not have any other athlete going through what I went through.
“It’s cost me an arm and a leg. I still owe over $60,000 in legal bills
that I’m paying back so if I can get them paid at least, I’d be happy”
Despite an appeal hearing where the Court Arbitration for Sport accepted
Keat’s positive drug test was due to supplement contamination, she was
still determined to clear her name and pursue legal action.
Keat’s identical twin Simone assisted with the legal process to help her
sister prove her innocence and even postponed plans to return overseas
to commit herself to the cause.
After two years of global searching, a WADA laboratory agreed to test
the Endurolyte supplements Keat had been given by her sponsor for steroids
or steroid precursors.
The laboratory later reported that the testing had revealed they were in
fact contaminated with norandrostenedione in an amount that was
consistent with Keat’s positive drug test.
Keat revealed how emotionally drained she had been and said without her
sister’s help she would never have been able to attempt to clear her
name.
“At the time I didn’t really think life was worth living,” said Keat.
“She (Simone) moved back to Australia and basically mothered me for the
first year when I was really struggling and trying to find an answer.
“She did all the research and got it all sorted for me and supported me
all the way through it.
“She’s always been my best friend. She’s stuck by me and told me to keep
plugging away and we’d get an answer.”
Simone said her sister was the first Australian athlete to obtain
evidence that their supplements had been contaminated. However, there have been
similar cases internationally.
Joining Keat in the lawsuit against Hammer Nutrition are US cyclist
Amber Neben and Canadian triathlete Mike Vine, who are all alleging the
company’s supplements had contained norandrostendedione.
Keat said she hoped she could now focus on her sport.
“Being innocent I never gave up. I knew I had to have faith that the
truth would one day unfold,” said Keat.
“Nothing can give me back my two years, but my self worth and soul are
slowly rebuilding.
“I just want to focus 100 per cent on what I love, triathlon, and strive
to achieve my dream of winning Hawaii Ironman.”
Jay Anderson
March 15, 2009
USATF CEO Doug Logan lectured supplement manufacturers on this very subject: http://www.usatf.org/about/leadership/ShinSplintsBlog/?b=20
fastmom
December 19, 2008
i think it’s such a shame that these people see an oppertunity to possibly get some “free money” from such a wonderful grassroots company who actually cares about it’s customers! SHAME ON YOU REBEKAH KEAT!!!!!!! and your sheep.why dont you get a life? look at the percentage of atheletes that use this product (and have for years) who’ve never had any problems and here you come looking for a bonus. LAME you did’nt even go after the right entity,watch out,karma knows its way around.
Drug Free
April 9, 2008
In agreeance with Bill Frey Animalpak/Ultimate Nutrition admitted liability here so seems very similar!Read ink below
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/archive/index.php?t-3188561.html
Anonymous
April 9, 2008
I agree with Bill Frey…read this link looks like its not the first time animalpak has got the selves in hot water!They would undoubtably after this have cleaned thier act up by now.But we are talking 2004 similar time to this case.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/archive/index.php?t-3188561.html
hmmmm
March 13, 2008
[audio src="http://www.competitorradio.com/shows/196CompetitorsHowardJacobs.mp3" /]
jay arnold
March 9, 2008
I’ve been using Hammer products for years, never had a problem – I agree these athletes are looking in the wrong place (that’s if they are clean!!). Remember even Ben Johnson said he was clean!
everyone likes to shift the blame – and why ask for only $60,000 ? is it because she expected the company to payup, just to stop adverse press and in the process say see it wasn’t me?
Giggles
March 7, 2008
he he.
oh man…
Karma. Sweeeeet karma…
Joe
March 4, 2008
So there’s one substance – and a stimulant at that, not a prohormone – in all their products that is on the banned list. That kind of makes your statement that the company “manufactures lots of products containing banned substances” not terribly accurate and your conclusion that “it is very likely that cross contamination has occured” (SIC) seem, at the very least, premature.
Bill Frey
February 29, 2008
Octopamine in Animal Cuts
Joe
February 21, 2008
Which of the substances in any of the “Pak” products do you consider banned substances?
Bill Frey
February 20, 2008
Endurolytes are manufactured by a contract manufacturer in NJ that manufactures lots of products containing banned substances. Those products are part of a line called Animal Pak. Those products list some banned substances on their label.It is very likely that cross contamination has occured and I am not even surprised. http://www.animalpak.com See for yourself and draw your conclusions.
Todd
February 18, 2008
I agree that due process should be allowed in this matter. It is however now in the court of public opinion and being so facts should be presented to the public that may influence that opinion.
As a race director I produce over 20 events each year. Hammer Nutrition is there for every one of them. To the best of my knowledge there is no other nutrition company that does as much at a grassroots level than Hammer. It is easy to get a sponsor when you have a bigtime event, but most companies do not care about the smaller events or the athletes participating in them. If not for Hammer we would have less for the athletes or have to raise entry fees to purchase products. The endurance community owes their support to the people that support them. Hammer Nutrition offers that support.
As an athlete not sponsored by Hammer I use their products in Ultratriathlons up to the 5X iron distance. Never had a problem and never failed a drug test.
A. Nock
February 15, 2008
HAMMER NUTRITION RESPONSE TO ATHLETE LAWSUIT
(WHITEFISH, MT) February, 2008 – On January 23, 2008, Hammer Nutrition LTD. was served with a lawsuit filed by three athletes. The complaint alleged that a Hammer Nutrition product used by the athletes, specifically Endurolytes, was contaminated with banned substances which led to the athletes’ positive drug tests in 2002-2004.
On February 11, 2008, the plaintiffs issued a press release. It is unfortunate that the plaintiffs have decided to take their case to the court of public opinion. We trust that the media and the public will allow due process and the courts to deal with this matter before rushing to judgment. While we empathize with the challenges that these three athletes face by virtue of their positive drug tests, they are directing the blame for their situation in the wrong direction. We are certain that when all of the facts are presented in a court of law, Hammer Nutrition LTD. will be vindicated of any wrongdoing.