Squamish athlete Julie Miller has been banned for two years by Triathlon Canada for breaching its code of conduct.
The ban was imposed on Nov. 13, although there was a 15-day window during which Miller could have appealed the decision. As of Nov. 29, after no appeal had been launched, Triathlon Canada issued a formal statement about the decision to suspend her, which will be retroactive to Nov. 1.
In addition, the organization’s disciplinary committee has rescinded her Triathlon Canada Award of Excellence and is removing her name from all race results from 2013 to the present.
The decision followed up on allegations made in connection with the Whistler Ironman event in July suggesting Miller did not complete the entire race, based on photographs and timing data. Her first-place finish in the women’s 40-44 division would have qualified her for this fall’s Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
Ironman later disqualified her from the Whistler race following an investigation. Soon after, Miller’s result for the 2014 Subaru Vancouver Triathlon also read as disqualified.
On Monday, Miller sent a brief statement to The Squamish Chief via email.
“Triathlon Canada’s decision is based on previous anecdotal and inaccurate information – there’s nothing new here. I was contacted three days before the review and given 72 hours to defend myself. I have young children and a full-time job as well as my volunteer commitments, so this wasn’t fair or realistic,” said Miller.
“Most importantly, I did not cheat and stand by my original statement. I continue to love sport and the joy of fair competition with myself and others, and I am training daily for future events. This has been an extremely difficult, unfair and emotional time for me and my family,and we are looking forward so, respectfully, I won’t be commenting any further.”
In October, Miller had said there was false information circulating and that her results for other races have stood.
Triathlon Canada is making a formal recommendation to the International Triathlon Union to investigate Miller’s race results from the 2014 Long Distance World Championships held in China.
“Triathlon Canada has taken great pride in building a winning program from the grassroots to the elite levels in all distances of our wonderful sport, while respecting the rules of fair play,” Tim Wilson, chief executive officer, said in a statement. “We have strong policies against athlete misconduct.”
The statement goes on to say that the disciplinary committee had taken steps to ensure that Miller was given ample opportunity to provide evidence in her defence and that the situation be investigated thoroughly.
While the Whistler race is an Ironman event, Triathlon Canada does recognize the event and considered the weight of the allegations.
“Because of the magnitude… the national body had to get involved,” Triathlon Canada spokesperson Chris Dornan told the Squamish Chief.
