Doping is like a double-edged blade, which can enhance an athlete's performance but sacrifice his body as well, a Cuban coach said on Monday.
"The most important is a clean sport, and the sport must be good to the health," said Leonel Alvarez to Xinhua.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in Beijing on Monday that Spanish cyclist Maria Isabel Moreno has tested positive for EPO.
According to IOC communication director Giselle Davies, the athlete had been disqualified from the ongoing Beijing Olympic Games.
The road cycling athlete was found using the blood-boosting EPO or erythropoietin following a July 31 out-of-competition test in the Athletes Village, Davies said.
The 27-year-old athlete, who originally entered women's individual time trial, has already left the Village before the result came out.
As knowing the decision, Alvarez expressed his regret. "Some athletes always take it for granted they won't be found out when they are taking drugs," he said.
Uruguay cycling coach Enrique Erramuspe also expressed his pity when he said the Spanish rider lost a chance to compete at the Beijing Olympics.
"It is a big pity she has lost a good opportunity," he said.
Erramuspe explained the doping problem is very complicated and it haunts almost everywhere, and even most in cycling, so cycling is the most controlled as to the doping.
He also said the life of an athlete could be changed if he made a great performance after taking drugs and not being found out.
"With the triumph, his life can be different, he could get more salary, he could be a professional." he added.
(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2008)