Following last night’s 60 Minutes programme on CBS, the UCI has categorically rejected what would be highly damaging claims made if proven to be true.
According to the programme, the governing body was involved in a cover up of a positive test by Lance Armstrong in the 2001 Tour de Suisse. It quoted former US Postal Service rider Tyler Hamilton as saying that the Texan had tested positive for EPO, but that the case was subsequently dropped.
“People took care of it,” he said. “I don't know all the exact details, but I know that Lance's people and the people from the other side, I believe from the governing body of the sport, figured out a way for it to go away. I was told this by Lance.”
Hamilton’s assertions are similar to those made by another former US Postal Service rider, Floyd Landis, one year ago.
Perhaps more damaging were the claims that the programme had a letter between the US Anti Doping Agency (USADA) and the director of the Lausanne laboratory where the sample analysis was carried out. It said the communication showed that the lab found initial results of a urine sample ‘suspicious and consistent with EPO use.’
The programme makers also said that the lab director had given a sworn statement to the FBI saying that a UCI representative ‘wanted the matter of the suspicious test to go no further.’
However commenting today in a statement, the UCI said that it ‘categorically rejects the allegations made by Mr Tyler Hamilton.’
It said that it was ‘deeply shocked by the seriousness of the allegations made on the “60 Minutes” programme aired by US television network CBS, and by the extent of the media interest in the case, and wishes to state once again that it has never altered or hidden the results of a positive test.’
“The allegations of Mr Tyler Hamilton are completely unfounded. The UCI can only express its indignation at this latest attempt to damage the image of cycling by a cyclist who has not hesitated to abuse the trust of all followers of cycling on several occasions in the past. At no time did he see fit to inform the UCI of the events he claims to have witnessed ten years ago, and which he is now using in his attempt to harm the UCI.”
The logic of the latter statement is a peculiar one, as it is faulting Hamilton for failing to inform the UCI of an improper matter which the rider claims the UCI was itself involved in.
Denial of positive case:
The governing body continues by saying that Lance Armstrong, “has never been notified of a positive test result by any anti-doping laboratory.” It points out that due to the statute of limitations for doping cases, no legal action can be taken in relation to events which occurred in 2001. It also states that “the UCI also wishes to point out that in doping cases it must abide by the rules of evidence; any statutory or scientific evaluation must necessarily be made on the basis of the rules, knowledge and detection methods available at the time.”
It is uncertain what it means by this. A test for EPO was introduced in mid-2000, and so the method was fully in use the following season. As regards to the statute of limitations, it pertains to sporting matters but it has been reported that federal investigators are considering other charges which are not bound by the same time constraints.
The UCI continues to deny the allegations, and said that legal action may follow. “The UCI wishes to state that no manipulation or cover-up has occurred in respect of its anti-doping procedures. The UCI will continue to defend its honour and credibility by all means available, and reserves the right to take any measures it deems necessary against Mr Hamilton or any other person.
“The UCI confidently awaits the results of the inquiry being conducted by the US justice system. It hopes that the investigations may be concluded swiftly and the truth ascertained, so that the sport of cycling may be spared further unnecessary damage.”