Colorado Springs, CO (My Sportsbook) - American cyclist Tyler Hamilton, an Olympic gold medalist in 2004, announced he is retiring from competitive racing effective immediately after failing an out-of-competition doping test.
Hamilton announced during a teleconference Friday that he tested positive in February while training for the Tour of California. He tested positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned steroid, after admitting to taking an over-the-counter anti-depressant supplement that lists the substance as an ingredient. The 38-year-old Hamilton was diagnosed with depression in 2003.
"Based on statements made to the press earlier today, Tyler Hamilton has admitted taking a banned substance in an attempt to treat his symptoms of depression," USA Cycling chief executive officer Steve Johnson said in a prepared statement. "Although his decision to take a banned substance was apparently based on concerns regarding his personal health, in so doing he violated the rules that have been implemented to ensure a fair and level racing environment for all athletes. Mr. Hamilton has acknowledged that he was well aware of the consequences and must now pay the price for his actions; and USA Cycling will carry out any sanction as determined by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after reviewing the facts of the case."
At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Hamilton won the gold medal in the men's individual time trial. He failed a blood doping test after the Games, but Hamilton was allowed to keep his medal because there were no results from the backup sample due to improper storage. In April 2005 Hamilton was given a two-year suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
His latest transgression likely would have resulted in a ban of eight years to life.
"As a result of these unfortunate circumstances, the professional national champion's jersey will not be seen in the peloton until a new champion is crowned later this summer in Greenville," Johnson said. "I am aware that depression can profoundly affect a person's life, health, friends and family, which is why all of us here at USA Cycling wish Tyler the best in his personal struggle with this illness."
Aside from his Olympic gold medal, Hamilton has a number of wins in his professional cycling career, during which he rode for U.S. Postal Service and Team CSC, among others. He was particularly successful in 2003, when he won the spring classic race Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and soloed to a stage victory in the Tour de France despite riding with a cracked collarbone.
