Henri Schoeman wins Grand Final Cozumel in 2016 (picture: ITU/Delly Carr)

IOCs leaked mail traffic has put a bombshell underneath the men’s triathlon in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Immediately after being published on Sputnik several prominent triathlon media published the news that Henri Schoeman would have delivered a positive substance test the day after the competition. The complete story about the South African athlete, who has not been suspended and about whom no substance abuse coverage was made in 2016, seems to be revolving around a missing TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption; an exception on the substance list where an athlete, under supervision of a doctor, can use a controlled substance for health reasons).

Rio was Henri Schoemans best performance yet, where he took the bronze medal after the Brownlee brothers. A couple of weeks later he confirmed by winning the WTS Grand Final in Cozumel, Mexico. During the Rio run he went head to head with our countryman Marten Van Riel, who had to let him go during the final stages of the race. Schoeman finished in third, Van Riel ended up in sixth place. If Schoeman were to be found guilty and were to be suspended, fellow South African Richard Murray will claim bronze and Marten would move into fifth position.

We are not there yet. The information published by Sputnik was obtained by hacker collective ‘Fancy Bears’ which intercepted mails between several IOC-officials. In these mails they mention a positive test result by the bronze medalist, with clearly stating the missing TUE.

Prednisol mentioned on the pre-test questionnaire

The Schoeman case turns around the substance Prednisol. Two days prior to the Olympic triathlon, the South African fell sick and mentioned on the pre-test questionnaire that he had taken Prednisol among other medicine. However in the complete file, the needed TUE was missing, after which dr. Richard Budgett (Medical and Scientific Director in the IOC and gold medalist himself in 1984 Games in LA) tried to obtain a TUE retroactively… The mail string published on Sputnik is, in any case, not the most open.

In our opinion, Schoeman has proceeded in good faith, given that he declared the use of Prednisol on the questionnaire. He had put his hopes on the South African federation to provide the needed TUE, which has not happened. This may just as well be the reason why the athlete was not accused, nor suspended.

In the meanwhile the world of triathlon shook on its foundations and many negative reactions were poured throughout social media. Triathlon is known for being a clean sport. One of the more prominent reactions came from Sebastian Kienle. The German Ironman-athlete plead for a complete ban of TUE on Twitter. His post caused a chain reaction during which Joel Filliol, Marten Van Riels coach, can be found disappointed as well.

TUE free since 1984. If someone has a health problem that needs to be treated with something that requires a TUE you should not be allowed to race!
— Sebastian Kienle (@SebastianKienle) 18 januari 2018

Volgens @trimaxmag wordt @H_Schoeman geschorst wegens een positieve dopingtest op 18/08/2016 net na de Olympische Spelen. Schande om de Olympische gedachte zo te beschamen. @MartenVanRiel schuift op van 6 naar 5 #cleansport
— Stan vandendriessche (@Stanvandendrie2) 18 januari 2018

The most concerning thing about this isn’t the TUE from @H_Schoeman ,it’s that the Medical Director for the IOC,Richard Budgett,is wafting around the idea that a retroactive TUE is acceptable.Proves that any positive tests can be swept under the rug for the sake of “clean sport” https://t.co/CfQA04Ver8
— Jarret Gosbee (@DoYouEvenTriBro) 18 januari 2018

Is this a positive test for Olympic medalist Henri Schoeman, he had a TUE but not for the needle, or did SA Olympic team management stuff up, clever people can comment @Scienceofsport @drugfreesportZA https://t.co/fK84235o8c
— Hendrik Lemmer (@GrootLem) 18 januari 2018

Very disappointed and deflated but not surprised upon seeing this. Hopeful that swift action is taken and the values of clean sport prevail.https://t.co/0JBUP6Nmfn
— Joel Filliol (@joelfilliol) 18 januari 2018

Henri Schoeman did not react to the smear. Currently, he is training in Phuket in preparation of season 2018.

Original posted on 3athlon.be on 18/01/2018 by Hans Cleemput.
Translation by @T0v3