Victor Conte Responds to PED Accusations
Victor Conte, a well-known nutritionist for Terence Crawford and founder of the Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning (SNAC) program, has strongly rebutted recent accusations regarding his comments about performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in boxing. After some media outlets suggested that he claimed knowledge of how to bypass nearly all PED testing protocols, Conte clarified that his statements were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
Clarification on Misinterpretations
In his defense, Conte emphasized the crucial distinction between having knowledge of potential loopholes in testing and actually engaging in deceitful practices.
“It’s incorrect to equate understanding how doping tests might be circumvented with the act of cheating,”
he explained, insisting that critics have misrepresented his position. Conte acknowledged that while he is aware of methods used to evade some drug tests, he has never claimed to know how to defeat every type of test.
Theoretical Knowledge vs. Actual Conduct
He elaborated on the subject by stating that certain hormones, like growth hormone and EPO, could hypothetically be microdosed to reduce detection chances. However, he pointed out that anabolic steroids are generally identifiable by contemporary testing methods.
“I never claimed to know how to bypass all tests—that’s a fabrication. It’s important to delineate between theoretical knowledge and actual conduct,”
Conte asserted.
Commitment to Clean Sports
With a track record of adhering to clean sports regulations, he firmly declared that no athlete associated with him has received banned substances since 2003. This declaration comes amidst mounting online scrutiny, where some fans expressed doubts about the integrity of fighters under the SNAC program. Responding to one provocatively worded online query—“Would you bet your life on that, Victor?”—Conte confidently retorted,
“I would stake my life on the fact that I have not administered any banned substances in two decades.”
Boxing’s Reputation and Future
This controversy shines a light on the precarious reputation boxing holds in regard to doping. Given the sport’s history of high-profile suspensions and failed drug tests, any implication of potential loopholes ignites fierce skepticism among its most avid supporters. Nevertheless, Conte stands by Crawford and all SNAC-associated fighters, asserting they follow rigorous training and nutritional methodologies without resorting to illegal tactics.
While Crawford prepares for a highly anticipated match against Canelo Alvarez on September 13, he remains entangled in questions regarding his past associations. Yet, Conte maintains that since the Shane Mosley scandal nearly two decades ago, they have maintained an unwavering commitment to clean athletic conduct.
About Phil Jay
Phil Jay, a seasoned boxing journalist with over 15 years covering the sport, serves as the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News and has gained recognition for interviewing various boxing champions and providing firsthand reports from major boxing events.
