Share

UCI waiting for Lance report

Valkenburg - The International Cycling Union said on Saturday it was still awaiting a report from the US Anti-Doping Agency into the alleged doping record of Lance Armstrong, whom the USADA has branded a drug cheat.

USADA said last month that Armstrong would be banned for life and his results since 1998 - including seven Tour de France titles won from 1999-2005 - would be expunged due to "numerous" alleged violations.

Earlier this month, the UCI requested a full account of the agency's findings but has yet to receive them, UCI president Pat McQuaid indicated.

"The dossier which USADA has certainly prepared will allow for clarification on points which remain open in this affair," said McQuaid, adding that one of those points was the issue of who has jurisdiction when it comes to sanctioning the athlete.

McQuaid added that, barring any major unforeseen problem, "the UCI does not intend to appeal" the USADA sanctions to the Court of Arbitration for Sport "but we need verification" of wrongdoing.

With USADA competent to pronounce sanctions covering only the United States it would normally be for the sport's governing body the UCI to extend sanctions globally and strip Armstrong of victories achieved in Europe.

Cancer survivor Armstrong said after the USADA pronounced it was stripping him of his record that he would not seek to clear his name through independent arbitration, effectively throwing in the towel against what he regards as a witchhunt and pointing to the fact he never failed any of hundreds of dope tests.

Armstrong continues vehemently to deny doping during his career and had questioned USADA's authority to ban him but the agency says it has as many as 10 witnesses prepared to testify to the racer's drug use while adding it believes the UCI and Tour de France organisers should honour its findings under the World Anti-Doping Code.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
65% - 484 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
35% - 264 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE