Wada to investigate claims but UCI rejects them outright

THE PRESIDENT of the World Anti-Doping Agency, John Fahey, vowed there would be a complete investigation into the Floyd Landis claims and called on others in a similar situation to come forward.

“Wada is aware of the serious allegations made by Mr Landis. We are very interested in learning more about this matter and we will liaise with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and any other authority with appropriate jurisdiction to get to the heart of the issues raised,” he promised. “Wada looks forward to these further investigations and inquiries by those responsible.

“Generally speaking, Wada encourages everyone with knowledge of banned practices in sport, including athletes who were caught cheating and who denied the evidence for years, to be forthcoming in disclosing the information they may have to the proper authorities.”

He added this would promote clean sport and protect clean athletes.

While declining to comment on this or indeed any other open case, USADA’s chief executive Travis Tygart also promised the agency would look into any allegations made in situations such as this. “Clean athletes and those who value clean sport can rest assured that the institutions established to support and protect them are working diligently on their behalf,” he said in a statement. “Our duty is to fairly and thoroughly pursue any and all reliable evidence of doping to reveal the truth and to ensure honest and fair athletic competition worldwide for both fans and athletes.”

In 2007, Landis claimed USADA had offered him a shortened sentence in relation to his doping charges if he agreed to give evidence against Armstrong. This was dismissed as nonsense at the time by Tygart but, if it was indeed true, it suggests the agency had concerns then that Armstrong may have used performance-enhancing substances during his run of seven Tour victories.

Tygart said yesterday it would work hard to find the truth in such cases. “In circumstances where the process results in credible evidence of doping, USADA will follow its mandate to protect clean athletes and the integrity of sport by taking appropriate action under the rules established by federal law.”

In contrast, the International Cycling Union did not offer to conduct an investigation, but rather rejected outright the claims made by Landis. It took particular umbrage at the allegations its former president accepted a bribe to cover up a positive EPO result in the 2001 Tour of Switzerland.

“The International Cycling Union (UCI) categorically rejects accusations made by Mr Floyd Landis, in particular the allegation that a positive doping result by Lance Armstrong during the 2002 Tour of Switzerland was concealed after an agreement was reached between the American rider, his directeur sportif Mr Johan Bruyneel and the former UCI President, Mr Hein Verbruggen,” it said in a communiqué.

The governing body said it was “deeply shocked by the gravity of this statement”, and said it never “changed or concealed a positive test result”.

UCI president Pat McQuaid spoke to RTÉ and also gave an interview to the Associated Press, and appeared to say there was no point in looking beyond the present.

“These guys coming out now with things like this from the past is only damaging the sport,” McQuaid told the Associated Press. “If they’ve any love for the sport they wouldn’t do it.”