The Wall Street Journal has reported that the USADA has formally charged Armstrong with doping. Armstrong’s attorney received notice of the unanimous recommendation earlier in the week.
On June 12, USADA said it planned to pursue allegations against Armstrong, Johan Bruyneel, three team doctors and a staff member. The charges include organized conspiracy for cheating with performance-enhancing drugs and violations of the rules of the sport.
Armstrong has 10 days to respond and to decide whether to contest the charges. If he contests the case, it will be argued in front of an independent arbitration panel of three people. USADA will have to convince two arbitrators that the allegations are true.
Armstrong’s attorney Robert Luskin said the decision is “wrong” and “baseless”. He asserted that the charges are the result of the agency’s “toxic obsession with Lance Armstrong” and that there “is not one shred of credible evidence” to support them.
“In its zeal to punish Lance, USADA has sacrificed the very principles of fair play that it was created to safeguard. It has compiled a disgraceful record of arrogance, secrecy, disregard for its own protocols, shabby science, and contempt for due process.” Armstrong is considering his options during the next few days.
The USADA can seek up to a lifetime ban and loss of all titles received during the period of any violations.
USADA said it followed its protocols and would “continue to follow the established procedures that are compliant with federal law and were approved by athletes, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and all Olympic sports organizations.”
USADA operates under the World Anti-Doping Association. They claim more than 10 former Armstrong teammates will testify he doped during his cycling career. It also said it obtained blood-test results from 2009 and 2010 that allegedly show Mr. Armstrong doped during those years.
The agency is responsible for enforcing Olympic doping rules, but doesn’t have the authority to bring criminal charges.
