Danish mountain biker misses Olympics over positive test (Roundup)

Jul 28, 2008, 19:40 GMT

Copenhagen - Danish mountain biker Peter Riis Andersen has tested positive for the blood-boosting hormone EPO and has been dropped from the Danish Olympic team, the National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF) said Monday.

Andersen said at a news conference Monday that he had taken the banned substance because of his own demands on himself.

The 28-year-old told reporters that he had always thought he could combine his career and medical studies. 'But this year I slipped behind. Some of the results I achieved were below what I believed I could achieve and during the European Championships in May, I made the silly decision to use banned substances,' Andersen said.

He added that he obtained six phials of EPO (Erythropoietin) and used them until June 22.

Andersen said he was aware something had gone wrong when the agency Anti Doping Denmark tested him three days later.

'There are no excuses. I have done something stupid and will have to take the consequences,' Andersen said.

The cyclist has also lost his job with Germany's Team ALB-GOLD.

Team manager Robert Dorn expressed his disappointment and incomprehension in a press statement.

'From our side there has been no pressure on the rider and his contract was valid through next year,' Dorn said in the statement.

Andersen was aiming for a top-10 spot at the Beijing Games. He was 18th at the Athens Games 2004.

The agency Anti Doping Denmark has conducted 163 doping tests in the run-up to the Games.