Geraldine Hendricken explains the technical rule behind her suspension and the rationale the panel used in their decision. In this case as she explains, ignorance may have indeed been bliss.

Hendricken told Irish Runner.com, "The penalty that applies in relation to rule 60 section 2(a) is a minimum of 2 years suspension unless exceptional circumstances are established. Unfortunately for me the fact that the supplements ingested by me and shown to be contaminated by the IOC accredited Laboratory in Cologne were not taken to include exceptional circumstances. Neither were the two clear tests of January 16th or February 16th taken into consideration.

She continues, "The panel relied heavily on the strict liability rule. Against my case were three factors: 1) My experience as an international athlete; 2) My educational background and achievements; 3) The fact that I made the effort to attend an antidoping seminar on October 10th last year."

Using the panel's own process Hendricken honestly and logically surmised, "This leads me to conclude that 1) If I was less successful/an under achiever in athletics; 2) less intelligent - a college drop out perhaps? and 3) Less concerned about anti-doping, i.e. if I hadn't bothered to attend the seminar in Dublin last October in which supplements were mentioned in the last minute of the seminar, that my case might have been viewed more favourably."

The same dogged determination that brought Hendricken to an International level can be seen in her outlook on the future as she states, "I will not appeal; as I would rather spend 100,000 euros on my training fund for the next World Championships than it risk it on an appeal. It's an enormous setback like any major injury or sickness would be. That's the way I will look at it, however I am healthy and will get right back into training with a renewed vengeance on Monday morning now that I know exactly when I can race again. March 6th 2005 exactly. That's a year and a half, which gives me plenty of time to get fitter and stronger than I have ever been. I will race again for my club/myself and if I get the standard for the World Championships 1500m or 3k steeplechase for Ireland."

She won't be crying while she waits for the time to pass. She talks about her immediate plans, "Right now I have great things going on career wise with a new business starting up very soon and I am heavily involved in breeding racehorses and another sport - golf. The handicap is down to 23 from 40 in 6 months."