Search
shop

‘I’m in shock and crying’ – Collin Chartier’s coach Mikal Iden

"I can’t distance myself enough from this action," says Mikal Iden, the coach of disgraced American triathlete Collin Chartier.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Mikal Iden, the Norwegian coach of Collin Chartier, has given his reaction to the news that the American triathlete has been suspended for three years by the International Testing Agency after testing positive for EPO in an out-of-competition doping test on 10 February 2023.

The ITA is the body appointed to independently handle the results management and intelligence and investigations on anti-doping rule violations on behalf of IRONMAN and their formal sanction can be found here. IRONMAN is the first private, non federation sports company to formally adhere to the World Anti-Doping Code.

Chartier released a statement himself, taking full responsibility for his actions and said he started using the performance enhancing drug “in November”.

In 2022 he claimed a significant win at the PTO US Open in Dallas in September and ended the season in the top 20 of the world rankings.

Advertisement

‘I can’t distance myself enough from this action’

Collin Chartier - PTO US Open 2022
Collin Chartier in action at the PTO US Open in 2022 [Photo Credit; James Mitchell / PTO]

But after the news of the positive test and suspension emerged, Iden – who has coached Chartier since the middle of 2022, posted on Instagram: “I never thought I would have to make a statement like this…

“I’m in shock and crying just now learning that an athlete I’ve been coaching for the last year has been doping. I can’t distance myself enough from this action. It’s such a complete crash in my values it’s unthinkable…

“The only positive I see from this going forward is the anti-doping organization catching the athlete.

“Thrust [sic] is going to be hard going forward. Mikal.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...