Governing body “will endeavour to provide a timely response” to thousand-page dossier
Having expressed frustration at perceived delays in the production of a “reasoned decision” into its sanctioning of Lance Armstrong – and five others – in the “USPS Conspiracy, the International Cycling Union (UCI) has acknowledged its receipt. The report takes the form of a dossier of more than a thousand pages, which USADA claims proves beyond doubt that Armstrong cheated his way to seven Tour de France victories, and that there was a conspiracy to cover up that fact.
“The UCI has been advised by USADA that it’s reasoned decision and supporting material is available to view on its website,” says the UCI statement.
Having received the documentation, the UCI has 21 days to consider its actions; either to accept USADA’s verdict, strip Armstrong of all results since 1998 and serve a life bans on the Texan – which would prevent him from ever working in any World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-sanctioned sport; or – if it disagrees with all, or part of the decision, appeal against it to the Court for Arbitration in Sport Court for Arbitration in Sport (CAS).
Having supported Armstrong in his Texas court case, which disputed USADA’s jurisdiction in the case – based on matters of results management – the UCI has since indicated it was unlikely to appeal unless it felt there were shortcomings in USADA’s evidence. Potential objections may arise from parts of USADA’s dossier which are thought to allege the UCI’s involvement – direct or indirect – in parts of the conspiracy. Whatever it decides to do however, the UCI is expecting to act quickly.
“The UCI will endeavour to provide a timely response and not to delay matters any longer than necessary,” it says.
As well as the UCI, WADA itself has the opportunity to object to, and appeal against, the USADA decision but, since the Worldwide body has put its backing behind the US body throughout the investigation, this is unlikely.
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UCI STATEMENT ON USADA REASONED DECISION
The UCI has been advised by USADA that it’s reasoned decision and supporting material is available to view on its website (10th October 2012).
The UCI will examine all information received in order to consider issues of appeal and recognition, jurisdiction and statute of limitation, within the term of appeal of 21 days, as required by the World Anti-Doping Code.
The UCI will endeavour to provide a timely response and not to delay matters any longer than necessary.