Posted: November 15, 2004

Triathlon: World Triathlon Corporation Makes Professional Standings Official

November 15, 2004 - WTC received official confirmation today from the DTU that Germany’s Nina Kraft has admitted guilt and will not be appealing the positive drug test results from the 2004 Ironman Triathlon World Championship. In addition, she has waived her right to have the B-sample tested. Therefore, outlined below are the official professional standings from the race that took place on October 16 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Prize monies will be distributed to athletes following this announcement.

Professional Women’s Results:

1st Natascha Badmann (Switzerland)	$100,000
2nd Heather Fuhr (Canada)	$50,000
3rd Kate Major (USA)	$25,000
4th Lisa Bentley (Canada)	$15,000
5th Joanna Lawn (New Zealand)	$12,500
6th Belinda Granger (Australia)	$10,000
7th Lisbeth Kristensen (Denmark)	$8,500
8th Fernanda Keller (Brazil)	$7,500
9th Tina Walter (Germany)	$6,500
10th Nicole Leder (Germany)	$5,000

WTC is awaiting information from the Belgian Triathlon Federation concerning Rutger Beke’s positive drug test results from a Belgian race that took place in September. Men who placed six-11th at the 2004 Ironman Triathlon World Championship could be affected by the announcement.

Professional Men’s Results:

1st Normann Stadler	$100,000
2nd Peter Reid	$50,000
3rd Faris Al-Sultan	$25,000
4th Alex Taubert	$15,000
5th Rutger Beke	(pending)
6th Torbjorn Sindballe	$10,000
7th Cameron Widoff	$8,500
8th Timo Bracht	$7,500
9th Rene Rovera	$6,500
10th Raynard Tissink	$5,000

The U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA) conducts all drug tests at USA Triathlon-sanctioned events and determines the positions that will be tested. In 2004, the top three male and female professionals were tested, along with a random selection of professionals placing fourth-10th. Age group athletes are not drug tested.

This year, the following positions were tested at the Ironman Triathlon World Championship:

Ø Top 1-3 (male and female)

Ø Places 4, 5 and 9 (male)

Ø Places 5, 6 and 10 (female)

"USA Triathlon supports USADA in its continuing efforts to catch those athletes who cheat by using performance-enhancing drugs," said Mike Greer, USA Triathlon's interim executive director. "The bad news this year is that an athlete cheated. The good news is that she was caught and those professional triathletes who might consider using drugs were put on notice."

Specific questions relating to the actual drug testing procedure should be directed to USADA.