USADA Case against Lance Armstrong | USADA Allegations

On June 12, 2012, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) notified cyclist Lance Armstrong and other members of the USPS team of its opening of a formal action alleging violations under the (i) Union Cycliste International (UCI) Anti-Doping Rules, (ii) World Anti-Doping Code, and (iii) USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing. (read the Notification here)

USADA Allegations

Specifically, USADA alleges that evidence in their possession “reflects a pervasive pattern of doping.” The Notification cites the following substances and methods:

• Erythropoitien (EPO). Used to increase the number of red blood cells.
• Blood Transfusions. Involve extraction of athlete’s own blood and re-infusion of that blood shortly before or during competition.
• Testosterone. Used to increase muscle mass and strength.
• Human Growth Hormone (hGH). Used to increase strength and lean muscle mass.
• Corticosteroids. Used to reduce inflammation and assist in recovery.
• Saline and Plasma Infusions. To prevent detection of EPO use or blood transfusions.

The Notification alleges that Armstrong committed the following anti-doping violations with respect to the substances/methods above: use and/or attempted use, possession, trafficking, administration and/or attempted administration, assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, covering up, and other complicity, and aggravating circumstances.

USADA gave the respondents until June 22, 2012 to make a written submission before the Anti-Doping Review Board and clarified that the function of the Review Board is to recommend whether there is sufficient evidence of doping to proceed with the adjudication process. On June 29, the three-person Review Board made a unanimous recommendation to move forward with Armstrong’s adjudication process.

Armstrong Doctors Banned for Anti-Doping Violations

On July 10, USADA announced that Dr. Luis Garcia del Moral (cycling team doctor), Dr. Michele Ferrari (cycling team consulting doctor) and Jose “Pepe” Martí (cycling team trainer) have all received lifetime periods of ineligibility as the result of their anti-doping rule violations in the United States Postal Service (USPS) Cycling Team Doping Conspiracy. (read the announcement here)

[UPDATE]: According to the Washington Post, on July 13, USADA confirmed that Armstrong’s coach Johan Bruyneel elected to contest his case in arbitration. (read more here)

Deadline Extension

On July 11, USADA granted Armstrong an extension of up to 30 days (the original deadline was July 14) to contest drug charges while the he challenges the case in federal court. If Armstrong doesn’t respond to doping charges before USADA prior to the end of the extension period and ask for an arbitration hearing to face the allegations, a lifetime ban from sports might go into place and he could face the loss of his Tour de France titles.

Stay tuned!

Related Posts:

• Lance Armstrong | The Doping Controversy Continues, Disputing, July 12, 2012