Lance Armstrong will be given another chance to argue for a reduction in his life ban from competitive sport after Brian Cookson, president of cycling’s world governing body, agreed to act as an intermediary.
A report commissioned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) highlights the inconsistency between Armstrong’s punishment and other convicted dopers, stressing the American’s drug use was no different to other teams and riders of his era.
But the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) hit Armstrong with a life ban after publishing its reasoned decision in 2012 and the Texan, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, has complained of unfair treatment ever since. Commenting on the report by the Cycling Independent Reform Commission (CIRC), which was released, Cookson recognised the inconsistency and agreed to act as a go-between in a bid to get Armstrong and USADA chief Travis Tygart around a table.
‘Lance was given exceptional treatment,’ said Cookson. ‘But then again he was an exceptional offender who was exceptionally successful. So I don’t have a huge amount of sympathy.
‘You also have to achieve a balance in incentivising people to give evidence and punishing those who have committed offences.
‘I understand (CIRC) would like UCI to facilitate a further discussion between Armstrong and USADA. We would be happy to do that.’
Asked whether he could envisage a reduction in the ban, Cookson said: ‘I have no desire to be “the president that let Lance Armstrong off the hook”. I’ll take my lead from the CIRC commission.’
Speaking at the UCI offices in Switzerland, Cookson says a critical moment in cycling’s history was when the UCI assisted Armstrong in escaping sanction for a positive test in the 1999 Tour — the first of his seven victories.
‘In that Tour Armstrong had a positive dope test for cortisone covered up with the assistance of the UCI,’ said Cookson. ‘That was an absolutely critical moment because if the UCI had done the right thing he would never have won seven Tours. It had severe repercussions we are still living with today.’
Hein Verbruggen was the former UCI president accused of colluding with Armstrong and other leading riders, and yesterday Cookson said he would be calling on him to resign as honorary president of cycling’s world governing body.
The man who stood as UCI president between 1991 and 2005, and remains in a senior role in the organisation as well as an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee, was accused of being complicit in one of the biggest cover-ups in sporting history in an independent report into cycling’s doping past.
‘I am very concerned by the report and will be writing to him asking him to consider his position as an honorary president,’ said Cookson.
If Verbruggen refuses, Cookson said it would then become a matter for the UCI Congress.
‘The Congress was the body that awarded him that status and maybe it would be that they reconsider that in September,’ he said.
‘It may be that disciplinary action will follow from UCI or other agencies. It may be that some of these matters are referred to authorities outside the sport.’
Cookson also accepts the CIRC report is right to suggest doping remains a serious problem for the peloton, with CIRC highlighting alarming practices that include using drugs intended for horses and others never given clinical approval because of links to cancer.
‘One of the things it says is that things have improved substantially in terms of doping in cycling,’ said Cookson. ‘But it does still say there is room for improvement. What they have said is pretty accurate. But there are a range of contributions. One person said 90 per cent of the peloton is still doping. Others have said the problem is much less than that.
‘We will look to talk to more people and see if we can get a more accurate picture of the situation.’
Cookson appears to agree with CIRC that ‘no-test windows’ at night for riders need to be abolished as they can be exploited to escape detection for doping.
‘It would be very unpopular with the riders,’ he said. ‘But perhaps no rider should be surprised in the coming months if there is a knock at the door in the middle of the night. There is already provision to do that under the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) code.’
Cookson said he intends to introduce a ‘fit and proper person test’ for team officials, and that further cases could be pursued if CIRC agree to pass the UCI ‘some of the other witness statements on specific matters in the report’.
Cookson has demonstrated significant courage in his leadership. In contrast to his predecessors he isn’t afraid to upset the peloton.
He said he was disappointed so few riders had given evidence to CIRC. Chris Froome was the only rider from the peloton named.
‘I’m disappointed so few riders came forward,’ he said. ‘Lance and others found the time. If riders want to be part of a clean peloton they have responsibilities. My message to those who are cheating: we will find you. We will re-analyse your sample and you will be caught.’
Cookson also said there would be some kind of whistleblower system, even suggesting it could even be an independent body.
Verbruggen dared claim yesterday the CIRC report cleared him of wrongdoing. ‘I am pleased this report confirms my innocence,’ he said. In the same parallel universe, Verbruggen’s successor, Pat McQuaid, said much the same. – Daily Mail