Belgium moves forward on blood doping doctor
Case could be transferred to courts this month



A Belgian prosecutor has completed his 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:investigation into the activities of a Rotselaar doctor, Chris Mertens, who is suspected of providing ozone therapy to 19 a𝓡thletes, some of whom were professional cyclists, the Belgian mediꦅa reports today.
The investigation dates back to early 2013, when Telenet-Fidea rider Tom Meeusen was 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:questioned as a patient of Mertens and kept out of several cyclo-cross races. Meeusen insisted his visits to the doctor were not related to doping. Lotto Belisol's Jurgen Van Den Broeck 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:also said that he hasℱ visited the doctor, but only for legitimate medical purposes.
So far one rider has been suspended as part of the investigation. 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Pieter Van Herck, a former teammate of Belgian champion Sven Nys, w๊as banned for two years as a result of the p😼robe in June of 2013.
The Belgian doctor is under investigation for providing ozone therapy, a controversial treatment where bloodꦉ is extracted, infused with ozone and then re-injected. The process has been purported to help clear certain infections, but is dangerous💎 and there is no scientific evidence for any benefits of ozone therapy.
Under the WADA code, any manipulation 𒁃of blood♓ can be considered a doping offense.
The Leuven council will decide on November 14 whether to transfer the case to the courts. Should a criminal case be undertaken, it is unlikely that any athletes would be punished under the laws, but they could face sporting 🐬sanctions under the anti-doping regulations.
The latest race c𒆙ontent, interviews, featuresꦆ, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!