Canadian sub-elite (David Freake) busted for EPO and other stuff

Looks like the link to the WADA bulletin on sudafed didn't work. This is what is says:

Additional information in regards to the reintroduction of pseudoephedrine to the 2010 Prohibited List

The WADA List Committee has reintroduced pseudoephedrine (PSE) to the 2010 Prohibited List as a specified stimulant prohibited In-Competition at a urinary threshold of 150μg/mL.

This decision was based on the results of controlled excretion studies as well as scientific literature [1-5].

Given the wide availability of PSE-containing medicines, WADA recommends that the reintroduction of PSE be supported by an active information/education campaign by all stakeholders.

In this regard, WADA recommends that the following information be communicated, as soon as possible, to Athletes and their support personnel: The established threshold levels may be reached (rarely, but possibly) by some individuals within 6-20 hours of intake of some long-lasting therapeutic formulations.

Advise athletes to stop taking PSE pills at least 24 hours before competition.

For therapeutic applications during the In-Competition period, consider the use of alternative permitted medications upon previous consultation with a physician, or apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the use of PSE for therapeutic purpose(s).

The threshold level has been established based on the intake of therapeutic doses of PSE, defined as a maximum daily dose of 240mg PSE taken either as:

i) four (4) daily administrations (one every 4-6 hours) of a 60mg pill (or 2 x 30mg pills), or

ii) two (2) daily administrations (one every 12 hours) of a 120mg pill (extended release), or

iii) one (1) daily administration of a 240mg pill (extended release).

In line with this dosing regimen, the intake, for example, of a single daily dose of 3 x 60mg pills constitutes a supratherapeutic administration that may lead to an Adverse Analytical Finding.

Since this guy was not even that good (233 thon), he should and will probably just pick a different endurance sport. That's actually my advice to him as a man. I hope he can succeed but do it fairly and ethically. Im not going to pile on bashing him but I acknowledge what he did was totally wrong. Also, to anyone who really has a problem with him enjoying or participating in a sport that he's not banned from, you need to get off your high horse and determine the real source of your anger. So for David: Triathlon? Cycling? Spartan races?

Complex training wrote:

Wrong again wrote:

I didn't say Castella couldn't break 60. I said he had problems to do it.Definitely more close to 60 than 55. I used to train with him, so I know.

In what scenario was he trying to break 60 in training?

He ran the last 400 in Rotterdam in 61.

Non that I remember, but we used to do 8x400 with a 200 float recovery and the last one was flat chat. But yeah, 'Wrong again' is right again, "he had problems to do it.Definitely more close to 60 than 55".

PS This Freake fella seems like a sad case, but now we have a new excuse to add to the list, mental health.

Sudafed PE contains pseudoephedrine. Freake has ephedrine in his system. Pseudoephedrine=/= ephedrine. They’re two different drugs, and do different things. Ephedrine is prohibited in concentrations > 10 mcg/mL. Pseudoephedrine is prohibited in concentrations > 150 mcg/mL.

Do the crime, do the time. But no need rile up the internet mob - he's already been sanctioned, ostracized, and accepted it. He's looking at a 4-years on the sidelines at age 32 - and a lifetime of rumor and suspicion after that, assuming he doesn't quit sport. On another forum, this is what his former coach says: "...When I coached him he couldn't really finish a race. I think it was a combination of not actually doing the workouts and being mentally fragile. Doing this may have given him the confidence to get over that. His racing was going better. Honestly, I am a bit worried for the guy. I think he did this out of some misguided sense of what he thought his place should be in the sport. Yes, he broke the rules, but those rules are in place not only to create a level-playing field, but also to ensure athlete health and safety. I hope he has some support, even though I've heard that he's burned quite a few bridges in his community (even before this particular blaze). I know people will just say "f*ck that guy" and I get it. The athlete should be banned. I'm still concerned for the human."

User123 wrote:

Let's ease off on him. His decision to dope was obviously fueled by his need for social recognition and didn't harm anyone other than himself. Let's show some compassion for a guy who loves to run and is definitely dealing with mental issues. For what it's worth, I used to follow him on social media and he seemed to be a very friendly person and supportive of everyone in the running community. Hopefully, he'll come out of this and regains his passion for running and keeps it clean.

The link to Psuedoephedrine was in response to another poster ("Well Duh") who said they had taken it before races. Ephedra and Ephedrine are sold off-the-shelf in Canada as decongestants, though they're typically taken for weight loss/management, which is what Freake seems to have been using it for. Neither are prohibited out of competition. Ephedrine is permitted in-competition within published limits.

LoneStarXC wrote:

Ernest wrote:

My understanding is, without a TUE, "Sudafed" is prohibited in competition, but is sanctionable only when it produces a urinary concentration of 150 microgram/mL or higher.

That requires a large dose - quite likely exceeding that taken medicinally.

https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/WADA_Additional_Info_Pseudoephedrine_2010_EN.pdf

Sudafed PE contains pseudoephedrine. Freake has ephedrine in his system. Pseudoephedrine=/= ephedrine. They’re two different drugs, and do different things. Ephedrine is prohibited in concentrations > 10 mcg/mL. Pseudoephedrine is prohibited in concentrations > 150 mcg/mL.

Saucersaicey wrote:

Since this guy was not even that good (233 thon), he should and will probably just pick a different endurance sport. That's actually my advice to him as a man. I hope he can succeed but do it fairly and ethically. Im not going to pile on bashing him but I acknowledge what he did was totally wrong. Also, to anyone who really has a problem with him enjoying or participating in a sport that he's not banned from, you need to get off your high horse and determine the real source of your anger. So for David: Triathlon? Cycling? Spartan races?

He's blocked from competing in any sport that signs on to th Canadian Anti-Doping Program. That's just about everyone.

Whatever the deal: this is a human being.

None of us — not one of us — should be so prideful as to pretend that we’re so perfect.

What we ALL need in this life is a humble, contrite heart.

The lack of charity you find in yourself should be a cause of concern. Seek to mortify your heart of all pride before faultfinding the rest of the world.

noelroy wrote:

Saucersaicey wrote:

Since this guy was not even that good (233 thon), he should and will probably just pick a different endurance sport. That's actually my advice to him as a man. I hope he can succeed but do it fairly and ethically. Im not going to pile on bashing him but I acknowledge what he did was totally wrong. Also, to anyone who really has a problem with him enjoying or participating in a sport that he's not banned from, you need to get off your high horse and determine the real source of your anger. So for David: Triathlon? Cycling? Spartan races?

He's blocked from competing in any sport that signs on to th Canadian Anti-Doping Program. That's just about everyone.

If he lines up some (much much) better gear maybe he could apply for Bahraini citizenship.

He won money racing which means he robbed others of their winnings.

If you ain’t doping then you ain’t winning.

If you ain’t winning then you’re a hobby jogger. There are no other classifications.

This would explain most of your questions. There's the reason and there's the excuse. It's so strong it's very hard to look pass how he makes our own ego's feel. This might explain why and you can look at it in a different light. Tough one because these personalities are out there in your face. I feel sorry because most are not willing to get help.

https://www.psycom.net/personality-disorders/narcissistic/

Saucersaicey wrote:

Since this guy was not even that good (233 thon), he should and will probably just pick a different endurance sport. That's actually my advice to him as a man. I hope he can succeed but do it fairly and ethically. Im not going to pile on bashing him but I acknowledge what he did was totally wrong. Also, to anyone who really has a problem with him enjoying or participating in a sport that he's not banned from, you need to get off your high horse and determine the real source of your anger. So for David: Triathlon? Cycling? Spartan races?

He won't be welcome.

Kate B, how does it feel to have lost your running partner for 4 years?

FreakeOfNature wrote:

Maybe he fell into the wrong crowd?

pretty sure he is the wrong crowd on so many levels.

RIP David Freake 1986-2025

Obituary says he passed away unexpectedly on July 18th.