Posted: March 24, 2005

Triathlon: World Triathlon Corporation Launches Anti-Doping Policy

March 24, 2005 - Due to the recent increase in drug-related incidents, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) announces anti-doping guidelines. This initiative is an effort to standardize the code at Ironman events worldwide and will impact professional and age group athletes. WTC will act in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) international standard and code for doping-related circumstances.

* If an athlete's A and B sample shows positive results (or Adverse Analytical Findings) for any of the prohibited substances (S1-S5, The World Anti-Doping Code 2005 Prohibited List, International Standard) at a sporting event with a WADA-recognized testing facility, Ironman will issue a provisional suspension to the athlete beginning on the date the athlete competed and/or was drug-tested. Until a verdict between the athlete and their federation/national governing body (NGB) has been reached, the athlete will be unable to compete in any Ironman events worldwide.

* If an athlete is found guilty or accepts a suspension/penalty from their federation/NGB, Ironman will issue its own suspension based on WADA guidelines. For a first offense, the athlete will be suspended and ineligible for a period of two years from the date the athlete competed and/or was drug-tested. If an athlete receives a second doping offense, Ironman will issue a lifetime ban and the athlete will be ineligible to compete in any future Ironman event. (WADA Article 10.2, Sanctions on Individuals)

"Ironman is always striving for excellence and maintaining clean events and promoting a healthy lifestyle are key in that equation. We take our athletes' safety and well-being very seriously and believe it is important to take a stand on this issue," says Ben Fertic, president of Ironman.

If an athlete is currently serving a suspension, in litigation or in an appeals process with their federation/NGB, Ironman hereby imposes a Provisional Suspension upon the athlete. Under the Provisional Suspension, the athlete will be unable to compete in any Ironman events worldwide. The Provisional Suspension will remain in place until their case has concluded or a resolution has been reached.

Due to the current status of cases with three professional athletes, Ironman has outlined next steps below.

* Katja Schumacher - Katja Schumacher is currently appealing her doping-related case and is in litigation with the DTU. Until the case has been resolved and matters of litigation have been finalized, Ironman will be imposing a Provisional Suspension.

* Nina Kraft - While the DTU reduced the ban from two years to one year, Kraft will remain ineligible from Ironman events worldwide until October 16, 2006.

* Rutger Beke - Rutger Beke is currently appealing his doping-related case and is in litigation with the Belgian Federation. Until the case been resolved, Ironman will be imposing a Provisional Suspension.

For more information on Ironman, please visit the Web site at www.ironmanlive.com or contact Blair LaHaye at blair@ironmanlive.com, 727-942-4767 x207.