Bermuda cyclists Conor White and Kaden Hopkins have had their 2023 CAC Games medals upgraded after one of their big rivals was found guilty of doping.

White, who finished third in the time-trial on the day, has had his bronze medal amended to silver, while Hopkins has been awarded a bronze medal after initially finishing fourth in the road race.

Colombian Miguel Ángel López, who won the time-trial and finished second in the road race, recently had a four-year suspension upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, allowing the Bermudians to receive new medals.

Hopkins and White’s achievements were recognised at a ceremony today, when sports minister Owen Darrell presented the riders with their new medals.

But the moment was bittersweet for Hopkins, who feels that originally missing out on the podium and the long wait for recognition might have harmed his career.

“The problem right now is we care and Bermuda will care, but in terms of our careers nobody else will care about something that happened two years ago,” Hopkins said.

“It’s such a shame that at the time of the results I did not receive any acknowledgement. When I was searching for a team last year, it would have been nice to have that result on my record to potentially gain more interest.

“That year I also finished third in the Continental Pan Am Championships and that one has now been upgraded to silver because that guy [López] was in front of me again there.”

Although happy to be awarded his new medal, White was also disappointed by the long wait.

“We knew a while ago it had the potential to happen, but nobody wants to be retroactively getting credit for their results,” he said.

“However, it is nice to know when you are riding clean that it does pay off. Clean sport is how it always should be and even though it is two years later, it is nice to get recognised.”

The two cyclists are not naive and understand that doping goes on in all sport, with White witnessing incidents first-hand while racing abroad.

“There has always been doping in sport and there always will,” he said.

“I’ve seen things at races, but I’ve never been personally tempted. By taking these drugs you are only hurting your body in the long run; I just don’t understand how anyone can feel proud knowing they got a gold medal when they were clearly cheating. I have too much pride to ever do that. I’m not a cheater and I never will be.”

Peter Dunne, president of the Bermuda Olympic Association and Bermuda Bicycle Association, said: “It’s disappointing, but it’s been going on in all sports and it will continue to go on,” he said.

“We have probably been in lots of competitions where people have been doping, and we will probably continue to be in lots of events where people are doping.

“It’s really sad for the athletes and Bermuda that we were not celebrated on the day.

“There is the pride of the athlete, the team, the BOA and the country that we would love to have been recognised on the day.

“There is really nowhere near the same feeling two years later. We are delighted that they finally get recognised, but the emotion is not the same as standing on the podium.”

Darrell was delighted to be given the opportunity to present the athletes with their new medals.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Conor White and Kaden Hopkins on this well-deserved recognition of their outstanding performances at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games,” the sports minister said.

“Their dedication and pursuit of excellence continue to make Bermuda proud on the international stage. It is an honour to celebrate their achievements and to acknowledge the hard work and commitment that have brought them to this moment.”