Working for the Team?

 British Triathlete Harry Wiltshire has had his appeal against a 6 month ban for 'repeated unsportsmanlike conduct' upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Wiltshire himself gave evidence as did meeting officials. CAS ruled that the length of the suspension was not 'grossly disproportionate'.
Wiltshire was heavily criticised during the European Championships held in Spain last June. He was involved in clashes during the swim with the Spanish triathlete and World Champion, Javier Gomez, and video footage later suggested that Wiltshire had deliberately impeded the Spaniard by slowing down and blocking his exit from the water before transition to the cycling limb of the event. Gomez was one of the main favourites, but eventually finished only 40th. He did not directly blame Wiltshire's antics for his lowly placing, he said he had suffered with stomach cramps. He did question however whether Wiltshire had caused him to swallow more water than usual by pulling him under the surface during the swim element. Gomez was highly critical of Wiltshire's actions and called upon the International Triathlon Union (ITU) to take firm action. They certainly did.

The event was won by Wiltshire's British teammate, Alistair Brownlee, with Brownlee's younger brother, Jonathon, in silver medal position. Gomez would ordinarily be one of their main rivals. It appears that Wiltshire acted to improve the position of the Brownlees. Whether he was specifically acting on team orders is unclear. Teams are allowed to work together on the cycling element, and indeed some competitors are specifically selected to act as 'domestiques' to more favoured riders, but they are not allowed to act in this manner during the swimming. Wiltshire, in any event, took matters to a whole new level and brought the sport into disrepute.
British elite triathlete, Stuart Hayes, who was not competing in Spain, labelled Wiltshire 'a disgrace'.
Meanwhile Wiltshire described himself as 'extremely upset' at the ban. He has been competing in triathlon for 14 years. His place in the GB Olympic Team is now in jeopardy as he will not have sufficient time to achieve enough points for qualification.
British Triathlon stated that it is 'committed to promoting fair play and ethical sporting conduct and following the ITU review of the evidence, will continue to support ITU in maintaining a safe and fair field of play for all athletes'.