George battles his way back after doping controversy

George, who admitted to taking EPO after he tested positive for the banned substance in November 2012, was cleared to compete last month when the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) lifted his suspension two months early.

“I have no plans for a big comeback,” George said on Saturday at the National Anti-Doping Seminar, hosted by the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids), in Johannesburg.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a rough entry back into the sport – I’ve already been turned away by one race, though I’ve been accepted and invited to others – because there’s been a fair amount of damage (to my reputation).

“I’m still an athlete, and I still enjoy riding my bike, but there are no winners in my story.”

Meanwhile, World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) director general David Howman, who also addressed the seminar, confirmed the recently revised international anti-doping rules would come into effect on January 1 next year.

Howman said it was important for national anti-doping bodies, including Saids, to apply the new rules accurately, but also to communicate with athletes to ensure they were not left in the dark.

“We are the guardians (of anti-doping laws) and we are responsible of ensuring the athletes are being heard.”