Last week the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced that they were charging American cyclist and seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong for doping, something that he’s been accused of repeatedly, but which was never proven. Now the USADA claims to have proof that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs while competing.
So, what is the likelihood that the USADA can prove the allegations, and what happens if they do? Here’s a guide to understanding what is going on:
The History
In 1996, Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had metastasized, and the prognosis was grim. However, he was able to beat it, recovering fully, then going on to win a remarkable seven Tours de France in a row between 1999 and 2005. During the latter half of his career, numerous journalists and fellow cyclists made allegations that Armstrong was a regular user of banned substances, and that he encouraged the practice among other cyclists. Despite the rumors, Armstrong took 24 unannounced drug tests between 2008 and 2009, all of which were negative. U.S. federal prosecutors also conducted an investigation of the allegations between 2010 and February 2012, when the probe was dropped with no charges filed.
The Teammates
Just one week before the USADA made their announcement, four members of the 2008 Olympic road cycling team sent emails to USA Cycling asking to be removed from consideration for this summer’s Olympic team. The timing and the fact that rarely do athletes ask not to be on the Olympic team have sparked questions as to whether those team members could be witnesses in the current investigation. All four riders were teammates of Armstrong on the Unites States Postal Service team, and at least two of them previously expressed a strong desire to compete in this year’s Olympic Games—making their sudden withdrawal even more suspicious. Though the teammates in question could be banned from cycling if it is found they were also participating in doping, it’s unlikely that they will be penalized if they have substantially helped the investigation.
Consequences of Doping
The World Anti-Doping Code has an eight-year statute of limitations, but the USADA has indicated that Armstrong could potentially be stripped of all Tour titles based on the eyewitness testimony they have. Meanwhile, although Armstrong retired from cycling last year, he currently competes in triathalons, from which he has been suspended pending trial.
Why These Charges Are Different
Many are asking how the USADA can be so sure of a doping conviction just four months after federal investigators dropped theirs for lack of evidence. ESPN commentator Bonnie D. Ford explains that the scope of the federal case was financial fraud—using the U.S. Postal Service sponsorship funds to subsidize organized doping on the team. The USADA investigation is for the doping itself. Furthermore, the USADA only needs “nonanalytical positives” to charge athletes, which means that eyewitness testimony, documents, financial records, or possession of banned substances are good enough—even in the absence of a positive test. According to a lawyer familiar with the case, the USADA waited until the federal government had closed the criminal case before bringing its own, and is using all of the evidence gathered in the federal investigation. This evidence includes “witnesses who say they saw Armstrong use EPO, testosterone, corticosteroids, blood transfusions, and masking agents to enhance his athletic performance.”
What Happens Next
Armstrong must respond to the USADA letter by June 22, at which point a review board will look at all the evidence, as well as Armstrong’s response, and decide whether further action is warranted. If so, Armstrong can opt for sanctions or an arbitration hearing. Armstrong is facing a lifetime ban from both cycling and Ironman triathalon competitions, and could be required to forfeit all titles and prize money from the time period in question, if not all Tour titles.
It’s possible that Armstrong could also face a civil case brought by the U.S. Postal Service, regarding use of the $32 million of sponsorship funds. The Department of Justice is looking at getting involved, which would not bode well for Armstrong. Finally, Dallas-based insurance company SCA Promotions could potentially recoup the money it spent attempting to keep Armstrong from collecting the $5 million bonus for his multiple Tour wins. Though arbitration on that previously settled in Armstrong’s favor, the new charges could change things.
