Armstrong's life-time ban could be reduced

[Lou Zealand]

New world cycling boss Brian Cookson is leaving the door open for a reduction on Lance Armstrong's lifetime ban.

But Cookson stresses the final decision would be left to world and United States anti-doping officials, not him.

One of the first tasks of the UCI President when he took over last September was to authorise the creation of the Cycling Independent Reform Commission (CIRC).

The commission will look into the doping scourge that has plagued men's professional cycling and allegations the UCI were complicit or involved in cover ups.

Armstrong, the disgraced seven-time Tour de France champion, has not confirmed whether he will front the CIRC.

Cookson said the UCI would soon announce the specific terms and conditions of the commission, including an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over sanction reductions for riders who provide substantial assistance.

"The situation of those riders ... who are currently serving bans is a little bit different," Cookson added.

"There will be the possibility of a reduction.

"The commission will have to make an assessment of that on a case-by-case basis."

Cookson also said the commission or the UCI would not have the final say on whether a rider such as Armstrong would received a reduction.

"It all depends on what information Lance has and what he's able to reveal," the Englishman said.

"Actually that's not going to be in my hands - he's been sanctioned by USADA [the US doping authority].

"They would have to agree to any reduction in his sanction based on the validity and strength of the information that he provided.

"If they're happy, if WADA are happy, then I will be happy."

The three-man commission includes former Australian military officer Peter Nicholson, a specialist investigator.

Cookson revealed all three commission members had done their own homework before accepting their roles.

"They don't want their own personal reputation damaged by any hint of a suggestion that they've been involved in - let's call it - a whitewash," Cookson said.

The UCI boss was asked about Australian Stuart O'Grady, who has confessed to doping in 1998.

O'Grady, who retired last year, insists he only doped once.

"I'm not going to comment on an individual if I can avoid it, for obvious reasons," Cookson said.

"But what I will say is I would encourage everyone to tell all of the truth.

"If you tell a partial truth - and I'm not saying anyone is doing (that) - the thing about the truth is it comes out in the end.

"It might be six months, it might be 10 years, it might be a generation, but it comes out in the end.

"It's better and less painful for everyone."

- AAP

[rock]

no problem in having his ban reduced from life to say, 35 years? no problem at all.......

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Read the book by David Walsh - My pursuit of Lance Armstrong.

If all is to be believed in that book I suppose the lifting is possible seeing as how he had the UCI and USADA in his pocket all of those years.

Would be a shame though

Edited January 23, 2014 by sk27

[Delgado]

Where are all the faithful flock with the he's innocent diatribe??

[NotSoBigBen]

Go Lance (cause it seems Scotty is busy )

[Tumbleweed]

Go Lance (cause it seems Scotty is busy )

 

You left out this:

[SwissVan]

As much as I'd like to see LA attempt a few Iron man races legally....it's never going to happen, not in the next few years while he is still capable of being in the top 10.

 

Maybe one day he can compete in Double Master category

[NotSoBigBen]

You left out this:

 

Don't want to steal all his thunder

[kingalton]

As much as I'd like to see LA attempt a few Iron man races legally....it's never going to happen, not in the next few years while he is still capable of being in the top 10.

 

Maybe one day he can compete in Double Master category

 

People would follow him for a few different reasons, some wanting to see him succeed, some wanting to see him fail.etc

 

It will be a big thing, right or wrong...

[Stoffies1]

I say bring him back not on principal but to see him fail... Lets really see what he is made off!!! Froome will eat him alive!!!

[SwissVan]

Where are all the faithful flock with the he's innocent diatribe??

 

 

Baaaa baaa

 

There you go, even in yellow

 

[nickc]

You left out this:

 

and lets not forget the Colonel !!

[Shebeen]

I dunno why he didn't get a double life ban in the first place. (on the day Texas executes a mexican by...lethal injection)

[rouxtjie]

I say bring him back not on principal but to see him fail... Lets really see what he is made off!!! Froome will eat him alive!!!

Contadoos sommer did that for us....

[GLuvsMtb]

I say bring him back not on principal but to see him fail... Lets really see what he is made off!!! Froome will eat him alive!!!

... until in 5 years time all the current riders' samples are re-tested... <dum dum DUMMM!!>

[eddy]

This is a non-story.

 

As Cookson says, it is for the US authorities to review his sanction.

 

Travis T, on behalf of the USADA has said before he would be prepared to do so if LA come clean AND provides significant new evidence that they have not previously had from other sources. Purely saying "yes, i doped" will not swing it for him as USADA have already proved that.