TORONTO, Sept 20 (Reuters) — Showjumper Eric Lamaze, who failed to make Canada’s Olympic team at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games after cocaine use, apologised on Wednesday to his countrymen and said he would make it up to them.
The executive committee of the Canadian Olympic Association ruled earlier in Sydney that Lamaze, 32, who remained in Canada, had breached an athletes’ agreement he had signed in July, pledging not to use or attempt to use narcotics.
‘I want to apologise to all Canadians for the embarrassment and controversy I have brought about. I promise I will make it up to you so that I can again proudly represent my country as an equestrian rider. I ask for your patience, understanding and for your forgiveness,’ Lamaze told a news conference in Toronto.
A member of the Canadian Equestrian team since 1993, Lamaze admitted to using cocaine last month after a positive drugs test and was banned from competition for life.
He also missed the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta after also testing positive for the drug in that year.
An independent adjudicator reversed the ban decision on Monday on grounds of ‘exceptional circumstances’, saying the evidence before him did not show that Lamaze was a drug addict or that his positive test was an attempt to cheat.
Bill Warren, president of the Canadian Olympic Association, said in Sydney the committee had been sympathetic to the circumstances of Lamaze’s cocaine use, but added: ‘Eric’s conduct was in breach of this agreement.’
Lamaze said he fully accepted the decision. ‘I publicly and with full commitment support and endorse the decision of the Canadian Olympic Association. I accept the the judgment without reservation and I do so without regret or bitterness,’ he said.
He also apologised to his fellow equestrian teammates, adding: ‘I will not let you down and promise everyone that I will dedicate the rest of my life to earning back their respect.’
Lamaze said however he wanted to set the record straight on the cocaine charge. ‘I am not a drug addict, I do not have a drug problem, I have no craving for drugs, cocaine is not part of my life,’ he said.
Source: SOCOG