WADA supports USADA in Armstrong case

Beijing: World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has again thrown its support behind US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) released a lengthy report with evidence to prove cyclist Lance Armstrong used performance enhancing drugs.

USADA issued the report Thursday explaining its reasons for stripping Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and banning him for life from Olympic sports, reports Xinhua.

The report, which included witness testimony from 11 former teammates, accused Armstrong of cheating through the use of EPO, blood doping and other drugs and pushing his teammates to do the same.
Armstrong is in big trouble. AP

Armstrong is in big trouble. AP

WADA president John Fahey said they will review the report.

“WADA welcomes the fully reasoned decision from the USADA with respect to the Lance Armstrong case, and confirms that we will now, as with all cases, carefully consider its contents and the voluminous accompanying evidence,” Fahey said in a statement released on WADA's official site Thursday.

“The process followed by USADA has at all times been appropriate and careful, and in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code,” he said.

“We would like to commend USADA for having the courage and the resolve to keep focused in working on this difficult case for the sake of clean athletes and the integrity of sport.”

As USADA followed Armstrong's case, it has also been tussling with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) over who has jurisdiction over the case.

WADA said the UCI “now has 21 days to determine whether it wishes to appeal the case. Thereafter, WADA has a further 21 days to determine whether we will exercise our independent right of appeal.”

IANS