Sweeck faces suspension following investigation into Belgian doctor
Under-23 cyclo-cross rider Laurens Sweeck claims that he did not receive illegal ozone treatments from Belgian doctor Chris Mertens, but that he did purchase Vaminolact, injectable amino acids developed as a nutritional source for premature and sick babies. The disciplinary commission of the Vlaamse Gemeeenschap (Flemish Community) is expected to make a decision on whether the actions violated anti-doping rules on March 10.
In a report in Nieuwsblad.be, Sweeck’s lawyer Johnny Maeschalck argued that his client, “is mentioned in the so-called Mertens ozone doping file, even though it is not even about ozone therapy. He was not even questioned. There is not even a single positive test, there is no prohibited substance, there is no illegal doping method. They have tried to find something to condemn him, well, there's nothing.”
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Sweeck added, ”since I know that to Dr. Mertens is under investigation, he is no longer my family doctor.”
Sweeck, along with Tom Meeusen and Bart Wellens were named among 19 athletes linked to a two-year-long investigation into the activities of doctor Mertens, who is suspected of providing ozone therapy to his patients. Ozone therapy is a treatment where blood extracted and infused with ozone before being injected back into the body. The treatment is banned under the WADA code.
Because of UCI rules and their connection to the case, in January, Sweeck, Meeusen and Wellens were found to be ineligible to compete at the World Championships in Tabor. However, the Belgian Court of Arbitration for Sport (BAS) agreed that the riders should not be held back from competing and that Cycling Belgium must allow them to race.
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