Associates’ Bans Could Mean Trouble For Armstrong
International sports organizers take many measures to stop athletes from using performance-enhancing substances. Photo courtesy flickr.com/willj/By Chip Skambis
Lance Armstrong could be headed for some messy legal battles as two of his racing team’s former doctors and one trainer received lifetime bans from cycling today.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency issued the bans after the three didn’t appeal the allegations the agency brought against them.
Ian Dille, a contributing writer to Bicycling magazine, says Armstrong faces a serious dilemma since he doesn’t know what evidence the USADA has against him.
“The interesting decision for Armstrong will be — if he is sanctioned, and the sanctioning will take place by this Saturday — whether he appeals the sanction and risks USADA exposing their evidence, or accepts the sanction and moves on,” Dille said.
Because the doctors and trainer have accepted the sanctions, Dille said, they may be compelled to testify against Armstrong. He added that Armstrong will probably have little luck blocking USADA in the courts, as the organization has avoided similar actions in the past.
