Don’t mess with NADA

Mountain biker Robert Kircher (33) was one of three athletes NADA (Austrian National Anti-Doping Agency) opened proceedings of drug use in July of this year. Kircher was investigated with fellow cyclist Christian Ebner and triathlete Michael Weiss by the national drug Police (SOKO). On the same day  three riders from the Austrian KTM team were barred from the Tour of Austria for alleged doping.  Not a good day for Austria. 

Last week (13th) the case went to court, where  Kircher was handed a two-year ban for receiving PEDs; but he was also caught dealing performance enhancing drugs   and was due to be handed a longer ban. Because of the many violations, the NADA said that the minimum four-year ban was insufficient, and handed down a suspension of eight years.  For a first offence this was unprecedented and hopefully an effective deterrent. Austrian courts are treating all PED abuse and violations against the state. His sentence was- 2years (for possession of doping substances)     and 6 years for trafficing in doping substances, plus costs of 3,600 €.

We find it ironic that two if the sponsors on his web site are ‘ Natural Power” and “First Pure Energy”.  We have asked  Kircher for an interview to see if there were any advise he could offer athletes making his mistakes,  but he still has to face a further trial on the 06/21/2010 Innsbruck civil law for the offense of supplying false testimony to the investigating police (SOKO doping) .