Statement from the Freihofer's Run for Women
By George Regan, Event Director
We, at the Freihofer's Run for Women, are opposed to performance enhancing drug use and have demonstrated this opposition by having drug testing in place at this event for the last 10 years. The United States Track & Field and the United States Anti-Doping Agency have one of the stiffest drug-testing programs in the world and our athletes have to abide by that. American track and distance running athletes are among some of the most rigorously drug tested athletes in the world. We are committed to maintaining a clean sport and to continuing our drug-testing policy at the Freihofer's Run for Women.
We were aware of the Asmae Leghzaoui suspension at the time of the invitation. Since she had passed tests to return to competition, and because the IAAF has approved her to compete, we had and have no reason to believe she is anything but clean.
Asmae Leghzaoui met the criteria as an invited athlete. Asmae Leghzaoui has run six races in the U.S. since her return from suspension with no controversy to our knowledge, so we didn't expect the response we received.
We communicated with the objecting parties and emphasized our commitment to a fair and clean competition. In hindsight, we made two errors in judgment. First, using the word "layoff" rather than "suspension" made it appear we were covering up the suspension, but that was not our intention. Second, I (George Regan, Event Director) made some insensitive comments which I regret. I have since apologized to the athlete whom I offended.
We stand by our position to allow Asmae Leghzaoui in the race because she has cleared the hurdles our sport has set in place to return to competition, and wants to prove that she can return to the sport as a clean athlete.
The Freihofer's Run for Women and its title sponsor, the Charles Freihofer Baking Company, are committed to excellence. We have hosted a world-class event for 26 years, and will continue our commitment to putting on the best event possible for the Capital Region. This not only includes the Freihofer's Run for Women, but also the Kids' Run, Community Walk (which has raised more than $1 million since its inception), and the Health & Fitness Expo.