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 -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

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
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
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders says he went to a “dark place” to fuel his latest IRONMAN win
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?
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...