Triathlete’s lawsuit with a supplement manufacturer set for trial September, 2009
Rebekah Keat alleges she had a positive drug test due to supplements manufactured by a major product manufacturer according to her interview in Slowtwitch.
The 29-year-old filed a lawsuit against Hammer Nutrition in California, alleging her positive drug test in 2004 was caused by the use of the company’s supplements which were contaminated with the steroid precursor norandrostenedione. Despite an appeal hearing, where the Court Arbitration for Sport (CAS) accepted the result was due to supplement contamination, the Australian was suspended for two years by Triathlon Australia, Australia’s triathlon governing body. With the ban served, Keat returned to competition in 2007, winning Ironman Australia and earning a sixth-place finish at the Hawaii Ironman in October.
Keat said the legal action was part of the vindication process and not about the money. “The pain of being labelled a drug cheat and not being able to clear my name was soul destroying and something I would not wish upon my worst enemy,” said Keat, who is being represented by Californian-based law firm Howard L. Jacobs. “All it’s about is me clearing my name. I wouldn’t care if I don’t get anything as long as I can name this company and not have any other athlete going through what I went through. It’s cost me an arm and a leg. I still owe over $60,000 in legal bills that I’m paying back so if I can get them paid at least, I’d be happy”
Despite an appeal hearing where the Court Arbitration for Sport accepted Keat’s positive drug test was due to supplement contamination, she was still determined to clear her name and pursue legal action.
