Brandon Cattouse 0 – NADO & BCF 1 – in Court

It did not go well today in court for Brandon Cattouse. Since April twenty-sixth, 2018, the elite cyclist has been on a provisional suspension from riding after he tested positive for E.P.O., recombinant human erythropoietin. E.P.O. is frequently used by athletes as a performance-enhancing drug. Today, in the Supreme Court Room of Justice Sonya Young, an interparty hearing including Cattouse, the National Anti-Doping Organization of Belize and the Belize Cycling Federation took place. Cattouse, via his attorney Hector Guerra, filed an injunction, challenging his suspension and the testing process. Former Belize City Mayor and attorney Darrell Bradley represented NADO, while attorney Magali Perdomo appeared on behalf of the federation. After almost three hours in court, the parties emerged; Justice Young discharged the injunction on several grounds, including that arbitration proceedings are currently underway by the Regional Anti-Doping Organization. 

Hector Guerra, Attorney for Brandon Cattouse

Hector Guerra

“Arbitration proceedings have been taking place between Mister Cattouse and the National Anti-Doping Organization. Our position is that my client, Mister Brandon Cattouse, has been treated unfairly and has been deprived of his right to a fair trial. We say that certain documents that are crucial to secure his right and that are crucial to vindicate him have not been provided to my client.”

Reporter

“So is he disputing the drug test and the suspension?”

Hector Guerra

“Yes. In essence we say that the entire procedure being followed by NADO Belize is unfair and as a result, the finding should be quashed.”

Darrell Bradley

Darrell Bradley, Attorney for National Anti-Doping Organization of Belize

“This was the interparty hearing for an application for an injunction. The claimant, Brandon Cattouse, applied to the court to continue an ex parte injunction that he obtained the twenty-eighth of June. At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge discharged the injunction and the defendants prevailed in the matter. I think that the judge though was rightly concerned about any impact in relation to delay to have a rider in something as important to our country as cycling out on suspension for any prolonged period.”

Cattouse and his legal advisor will now meet to determine the next step forward.