June 13/12 17:58 pm - USADA Opens Anti-Doping Case Against Lance Armstrong

Posted by Editoress on 06/13/12
 

The Washington Post is reporting that the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) has brought formal charges of doping against seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.  The charges have meant that Armstrong will not be allowed to compete in the Ironman France in 10 days time.

According to the Post, Armstrong and team director Johan Bruyneel, plus coaches and trainers, allegedly engaged in a doping conspiracy between 1998 and 2011, involving both using and distributing banned substances such as EPO, testosterone, masking agents, and performing blood transfusions.  According to the Post, the USADA says that it has 'multiple witnesses' to Armstrong's use of such substances.

The U.S. Attorney's Office recently closed down an investigation into doping allegations without bringing any charges, and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) has an eight year statute of limitations on doping allegations.  Six of Armstrong's Tour wins will fall outside of this limitation after July of this year.  The USADA can suspend athletes who are found to have contravened rules, but has no authority to bring criminal charges.

Armstrong, through his lawyers, stated that he has passed more than 500 doping tests and says that this is a vendetta.  The UCI issued a statement that the USADA has informed them of its decision to open anti-doping cases against Armstrong and others, but has no involvement or knowledge of the proceedings.

Read the Washington Post story here.