Tyler Hamilton Found Guilty
By David Cohen
Apr 18, 2005, 17:02
The United States
Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has announced the long anticipated decision of the
independent arbitration panel of the American Arbitration Association
(AAA)/North American Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The panel found
former Phonak Professional rider Tyler Hamilton guilty of a doping infraction by
transfusing another person's blood.
This
was the headline of an email sent to news media on Monday immediately after the
announcement that Tyler Hamilton, one of the world’s leading racing cyclists,
had been found guilty of a doping infraction by transfusing another
person’s blood.
The
email, from Deidre Moynihan of the Tyler Hamilton Foundation,
announced:
·Hamilton
will appeal the ruling of the independent arbitration panel of the American
Arbitration Association (AAA).North American Court of Arbitration for Sport
(CAS) as announced Monday by the United States Anti-Doping agency
(USADA);
·The
decision against Hamilton
was not unanimous (there was one dissent);
·Hamilton
is innocent.
Hamilton
received a maximum two-year suspension for a first-time doping
offence.
It’s
clear that Hamilton and his supporters were prepared for the worst. They
have responded to the devastating decision with anything but contrition.
But
there was another reaction, from the other side, that showed equal
determination.
“UCI [Union
Cycliste International]
took the necessary action to protect the integrity of its
sport,”
said USADA Chief Executive Officer Terry Madden. “This decision shows the sport is committed
to protecting the rights of all clean athletes and that no athlete is above the
rules.”
If
there was any doubt about the determination of the authorities to take action on
doping, the Hamilton
case will wipe it away.
Here
was one of the sport’s premiere figures, an all-rounder capable of competing at
the highest levels of the classics and the major tours, who was accused of
homologous blood-doping.
In
previous times, the determination to pursue dopers was often
questioned.
But
there is a renewed determination in cycling – indeed in sports internationally –
to make them come clean. Witness the efforts – and the outspoken advocacy
– on the part of the World anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and its Chairman, Canadian
Richard Pound.
Doping
and cycling have a long and intertwined relationship. Early 20th-century
racers used various substances to enhance their performance and maintain their
endurance. But cycling took the lead in the 1960’s in the testing of
athletes for drugs.
In
the first years of the 21st century pressure has mounted on the sport to take
positive and definite action as doping cases continue to crop
up.
The
Hamilton
case and its outcome could be a turning point – for cycling and other sports as
well.
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