Retired Canadian cyclist Genevieve Jeanson received a 10-year ban while her coach, Andre Aubut, and physician Maurice Duquette were handed life bans Wednesday by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.

The punishments against a coach and support personnel were the first taken in Canada under the anti-doping code and followed a 12-month probe launched after Jeanson admitted using the banned substance erythropoetin (EPO).

The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) and Quebec Federation of Sport Cycling supported the bans.

“We expected this was the type of suspensions the CCES would be handing out and we fully agree with it,” said CCA president John Tolkamp.

“Our organizations will be investigating any additional sanctions and will be reviewing the results and titles Ms Jeanson has been awarded.”

Tolkamp said a greater tragedy than unfair results was the support Jeanson and those who assisted with doping took from other athletes.

“This is a tragic case but in cheating, Ms. Jeanson, her coach and physician have also affected the cycling careers of other national team athletes,” he said. “They were denied funding opportunities, spots on national teams and positions at the world championships and Olympic Games.”

Jeanson, 27, won two titles at the 1999 world junior championships and was 11th at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“The actions taken against Jeanson’s coach and physician outline the fact that athletes don’t act alone most of the time,” said Louis Barbeau, director general of the Quebec group.

“It is important to punish, when possible, all the people involved in these situations.”