{"id":3968,"date":"2013-08-28T22:10:59","date_gmt":"2013-08-29T05:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stapletonion.com\/?p=3968"},"modified":"2013-08-28T22:10:59","modified_gmt":"2013-08-29T05:10:59","slug":"four-time-stapleton-kids-triathlon-champion-evan-klunder-banned-for-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stapletonion.com\/?p=3968","title":{"rendered":"Four-Time Stapleton Kids Triathlon Champion Evan Klunder Banned for Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>It was a sad day for the Stapleton triathlon community after the event received another huge blow. Four-time champion Evan Klunder (nine years old) received his third positive doping test and was given a lifetime ban by the Stapleton Triathlon Committee (STC). \u201cSo many four, five, and six year olds look up to Klunder, so this is not something that we took lightly,\u201d said STC President Jason Porche. \u201cWe have been working tirelessly to clean up this event and give it some legitimacy as we know so many kids have tested positive for banned substances, and some have started coming clean years after the occurrence.\u201d\nThe Stapleton Triathlon began as a fun event to encourage fitness for kids, but quickly became extremely competitive much like the rest of the Stapleton community. \u201cIn the second year, you could already see the big changes,\u201d said Porche. \u201cKids were wearing triathlon shorts, wearing swim caps, riding $5,000 bikes, and expensive running shoes. We did not foresee it coming to this so quickly. Many of the kids even had specialized coaches for each event and even the transitions.\u201d\nKlunder, a four-time champion of the event, also felt the pressure. \u201cAfter I won it my first year (5), my parents were really proud,\u201d said little Evan. \u201cI got a big trophy and it was really fun.\u201d The next year, the fun seemed to be out of it. \u201cThe next year I did it, we didn\u2019t really do much over the summer except train,\u201d said little Evan. \u201cWe would go to the pool, but not for fun, just to swim laps. My dad would have me out running at 4 in the afternoon when it was really hot. He said he loved me and wanted me to do my best.\u201d\nEvan does not recall any major changes to his diet. \u201cOn race day, I would get a lot of carbs, but nothing out of the ordinary.\u201d Evan won the event his second year, but the race was close, so his parents knew they had to make some changes. Evan\u2019s parents refused to be interviewed for this article. \u201cMy mom started rubbing cream on my arms and legs,\u201d said Evan. \u201cI asked what it was, and she said it was sunscreen. I knew it wasn\u2019t. I also began taking \u2018special medicine\u2019 they said would make my muscles feel better.\u201d\nEvan stops short of blaming his parents. \u201cThey were my coaches, my mentors. I trusted them. But, at the same time, I wanted to win more big trophies, so I could have asked more questions. I could have refused the treatment they were giving me. Look, I\u2019m nine years old. I can take responsibility for my mistakes and I have to pay for them. I\u2019m not a three year old like Ryan Braun.\u201d\nEvan says he will miss the fans, the competition, and the trophies, but hopes he will be out competing again, even if it is not at the Stapleton Kids Triathlon. \u201cI know that (Stapleton Kids Triathlon) is probably not going to happen. But, I am going to work hard, get back the community\u2019s trust, and hopefully by the time I am in Jr. High I will be out there on the fields and the community can once again cheer me.\u201d\n]]>\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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