Search
shop

Jan Frodeno sends powerful message in response to Collin Chartier drugs suspension

German superstar provides a very poignant take on the situation
Editor-In-Chief
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Jan Frodeno has responded to the news of Collin Chartier’s drug suspension with a profound message about the joy of sport, and how it can so easily be destroyed.

Chartier was suspended this week for three years after testing positive for EPO, bringing a storm of criticism from his fellow triathletes from all corners of the globe.

The 41-year-old Frodeno is the latest to have his say on the issue, and he did so in a very poignant way, with an image of himself as a youngster on a bike negotiating the infamous Suikerbossie climb in Cape Town, South Africa.

The German great, now preparing to return to action in a few days at the PTO European Open in Ibiza, provided a very strong message alongside the image, emphasising the positives of sport and the negatives of drugs and cheating.

Advertisement

Frodeno’s powerful message on drugs

He wrote: “Sport. You beautiful thing. You drive me, push me up, smack me down, allow me to see the world and meet so many good people. The truest test, perceived as so hard and yet so easy. Black and white. You make it or you don’t. As a kid you gave me direction, as a person you give me values. Values that I’m passing to my kids because I believe they can help shape us in a good way.

“Cheating in sport destroys any and all of the joy connected to it. It makes any result irrelevant. Drugs have no place in my world and neither do those who take them. It’s a privilege to live a life as an athlete and that feeling of racing my Dad 28 years ago up our local hill is still what it’s about to this day. P.S. Dad will tell you the story about me throwing my bike in the bushes the week before when he beat me!”

Jan Frodeno responds to news of that drugs suspension for Collin Chartier.

Stars condemn Chartier

Frodeno is just the latest triathlete to speak out following the news of Chartier’s suspension. Canadian star Lionel Sanders and America Ben Hoffman in particular were extremely strong in their condemnation of Chartier.

Six-time IRONMAN World Champion Mark Allen meanwhile talked of the wider implications of the news, saying “it taints the entire sport”.

Graham Shaw
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
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!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Joe Skipper finished fifth at Challenge Roth 2023
Challenge Roth 2025: Triathlon star Joe Skipper comes back from the brink for another shot at iconic race
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth beer
Challenge Roth 2025: Laura Philipp backed to make triathlon history by crashing through magical time barrier
Challenge Roth press conference 2025
Challenge Roth 2025: Date, start times, how to watch live and who’s racing
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Toulouse 2024
British Olympic legend Georgia Taylor-Brown to make triathlon return
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
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...