Triathlete Hannes Hempel steps down after doping test positive

Triathlete Hannes Hempel renounced doing the B-test after his positive doping test result in a training control on 8 March. He also announced his immediate retirement.

The 39-year-old man from Carinthia, who was banned for four years in 2008, could have been banned again for a long time.

“From my experience I can tell that my ban is already predetermined and I do not want to invest lots of money in a pointless fight with the NADA (national antidoping agency of Austria)”, Mr Hempel told the Austria Press Agency per email.

“I have the feeling that someone in the triathlon scene wants to get rid of me. This is why I am immediately announcing my retirement from the professional sport”, the sportsman stated.