Responding to the lifetime bans handed out yesterday by USADA to three of the six people charged in connection with the US Postal Service doping investigation, the World Anti Doping Agency has said that it expects the sanctions to be recognised by all global bodies, and measures taken to ensure that athletes and others don’t work with the individuals concerned.
While WADA didn’t name the trio nor the investigation, the timing and nature of the communication was clearly referring to the suspensions handed out by USADA. Doctors Michele Ferrari and Luis Garcia del Moral plus the coach Pepe Marti didn’t contest USADA’s charges of involvement in widespread doping conspiracy plus several specified offences, and have been given those lifelong sanctions.
Confusion existed about whether or not the UCI would recognise the bans but WADA’s communication leaves no room for misunderstanding.
Referencing the WADA Code, it reminds that the Code’s main purpose was to create ‘harmonized anti-doping rules and regulations so that decisions made by a Signatory in one particular country or sport are fully recognized and implemented by their fellow Signatories in other countries and other sports.’
It said that if such harmonization is not respected, that the fight against doping would regress to the pre-WADA days when there was little consistency. “Signatories will therefore need to take appropriate steps to implement and enforce adjudications to ensure that the decisions are fully respected.” The UCI is a signatory to the WADA Code.
As regards the fact that none of the three hold a UCI licence, the communication makes clear that others who hold such licences should be blocked from dealing with any one of the trio.
“Most Signatories will immediately alert athletes not to seek treatment, guidance or advice from those banned, and to cease any association accordingly.
“WADA strongly recommends all Signatories to take such steps in order to protect athletes from unscrupulous individuals who have a proven record of being involved in doping activities.”
The remaining three individuals charged, namely Lance Armstrong, Johan Bruyneel and RadioShack Nissan team doctor Pedro Celaya are still engaged in fighting the USADA charges.
Celaya has opted for arbitration, while Bruyneel needs to decide by Saturday if he will do likewise or accept a lifetime sanction. Armstrong is taking the case to a federal court to try to get USADA’s charges overturned.
The full WADA press release is as follows:
WADA statement on Mutual Recognition
Following a number of media enquiries regarding the case involving charges brought by US Anti-Doping against members of American cycling teams, WADA advises that Article 15.4 of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) covers the issue of Mutual Recognition amongst Code Signatories.
15.4 Mutual Recognition
15.4.1 Subject to the right to appeal provided in Article 13, Testing, therapeutic use exemptions and hearing results or other final adjudications of any Signatory which are consistent with the Code and are within that Signatory’s authority, shall be recognized and respected by all other Signatories.
The primary purpose of the Code has always been to create harmonized anti-doping rules and regulations so that decisions made by a Signatory in one particular country or sport are fully recognized and implemented by their fellow Signatories in other countries and other sports.
Without this harmonization and mutual recognition the fight against doping in sport would revert to the pre-WADA days when there was little uniformity and consistency in terms of sanctioning and the decisions handed down to athletes and others.
Signatories will therefore need to take appropriate steps to implement and enforce adjudications to ensure that the decisions are fully respected.
In the case of members of the athlete entourage that can happen in a number of ways, as the IOC and other international federations have demonstrated in the past by withdrawing accreditation or permission to be involved in events, refusing team membership or participation, and removing the right to be part of a medical or coaching commission for itself or National Federations.
In addition, most Signatories will immediately alert athletes not to seek treatment, guidance or advice from those banned, and to cease any association accordingly.
WADA strongly recommends all Signatories to take such steps in order to protect athletes from unscrupulous individuals who have a proven record of being involved in doping activities.
As with all cases under the Code, both the International Federation concerned – the UCI – and then WADA has a right of appeal. Until the time for exercising such rights has passed it is inappropriate for WADA to comment further on specifics of the case.