Contador - CAS ruling. (All things Contador/doping - merged)

[zeepee]

Just fixed the name

 

 

:: 28 / 01 / 11 :: Alberto Contador Floyd Landis press conference:

 

 

“I will defend my innocence until the end”

Today is a sad day, truly sad for me. It’s a day in which I feel greatly disappointed and greatly deceived. As you know, two days ago I received a draft resolution for a one-year sanction from the Competition Committee.

 

 

“The way things have been until now has been shameful, the way things that should’ve been communicated officially have been leaked to the press. All this has shown me how down-and-out and how full deficiencies this sport that I love is, the sport that I’ve given my life to and in which I’ve suffered so much to get where I am. And everything so that now, based on an obsolete rule, they want to throw it all in the dirt, so that I lose everything I’ve achieved.

 

Throughout my life I’ve undergone more than 500 controls, many of them by surprise, at home, during family meals, birthdays… I’ve had to leave in the middle of movies, I’ve had to leave my friends in restaurants, but it was all because I believed in the anti-doping system. Not anymore. I do not believe in the system now.

 

I know my responsibility, I know that I’m a point of reference for a lot of people, and I know what I expose myself to, that’s why I’ve never doped. I can say this loud and clear, with my head held high. I consider myself an example of what it is to be clean, and so I find it hard to watch the way I’m slandered every day, the way terrible things are said about me, when the only mistake I made was to eat meat without stopping to analyze it first to see if it had clenbuterol in it. Every time I go to a restaurant, will I have to take a piece of meat with me in order to check for clenbuterol?

 

The people in charge of the anti-doping organizations have to reconsider this case. We’re facing a completely outdated rule, which all scientists know is not up-to-date with the current anti-doping system, which was made years ago when they couldn’t detect minimum quantities which in no way affect your performance, which are physically impossible to take voluntarily, and which in my case have in no way helped me achieve victory.

 

As long as this rule remains out of date with the advances of 2011, cases of false positives will continue to occur. This rule will have to be changed; I don’t know when—whether it will be months or years from now. But meanwhile, what about me, and the people who are in a situation similar to mine? As long as this change remains unaccomplished, honest and fair sport will never be practiced, as I have always practiced it.

 

When I received the one-year proposed sanction, I immediately told Bjarne Riis, and told him that I wanted to go home to be with my family and friends. But I couldn’t allow myself to forget that it’s only a draft resolution and that in these 10 days that I’ve got, I’m going to work as hard as I can with my lawyers so that justice is done. I’m enormously grateful to Bjarne and to my sponsors for their confidence and their unconditional support—it’s unimaginable. As leader of the team, I think that making the decision to leave is best, so that all the riders keep working as normal.

 

I’m tremendously unhappy with the Competition Committee’s proposal. What’s happened during these last few months is beyond belief, and a disgrace. It’s become a soap opera and a political lawsuit with all the leaks, the baseless and malicious comments of WADA and the UCI, which I believe have played a key role in this proposed resolution. In the meantime, I’ve wanted to keep working, focusing on my own business, but I’ve also been on the point of exploding many times because of things that were being said. I could hardly endure it, but out of respect for the process I’ve preferred to keep some distance so that the Competition Committee can work without pressure from me, even though all that has come to nothing. I disagree with this proposal and I’m going to work to change it, but if that’s not how it works out, I’ll appeal wherever necessary in order to defend my innocence until the end.”

[Tumbleweed]

Just fixed the name

 

['Dale]

Another potential twist in the tail:

 

The UCI on Thursday sought to clarify that a one-year ban for Alberto Contador — announced by the rider’s spokesman Wednesday — is only a preliminary proposal by the Spanish Cycling Federation.

 

“Following the confusion generated by yesterday’s announcement by the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) on the case of Alberto Contador – particularly concerning the “interim decision” of which the rider was notified – widely covered by the media, the UCI is obliged to clarify that this information cannot in any way be considered as an anticipation of the definitive decision in the case,” read a statement released Thursday. The statement continues:

 

To date, Alberto Contador has not received a sanction and the UCI still awaits – in accordance with the provisions of its own regulations and those of the World Anti-Doping Code – to be informed of the decision of the RFEC Disciplinary Commission that should be provided as soon as possible.

 

The document that was forwarded to the UCI this afternoon by the RFEC only represents one element of the disciplinary proceedings undertaken by the Spanish Federation – and upon which the rider may express an opinion before being subject to the ruling – and cannot be used for the purpose of a potential appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

 

Only the definitive decision, that must be issued by the RFEC, can fulfil this purpose – within the time period established by the regulations – for the UCI, for WADA and for the rider himself.

 

Considering the major media interest in the case, the UCI regrets the inappropriate speculation that has characterised the proceedings and expresses its desire that this affair be drawn to a conclusion in an orderly fashion.

 

UCI Press Service

[GrumpyOldGuy]

......its late, I am tired, and I just finished reading the Landis interview,....... so what exactly are they saying? - I cant understand most of it - except that it just sounds like a load of beurocratic "Mumbo Jumbo" to me.

['Dale]

......its late, I am tired, and I just finished reading the Landis interview,....... so what exactly are they saying? - I cant understand most of it - except that it just sounds like a load of beurocratic "Mumbo Jumbo" to me.

GOG,

I have stopped reading Landis's words, man.

It is bitter and, even if possibly true, and so negative...

 

And the UCI Prez just denied any corruption EVER in the org...

[Squier]

GOG,

I have stopped reading Landis's words, man.

 

Well done! It's exaclty the same scenario as Julius Malema... His constantly in the news because everyone gets their nickers in a knot everytime he says something. Why are we even paying attention?

[TNT1]

.

 

And the UCI Prez just denied any corruption EVER in the org...

 

Yeah,except him and the wada moron use the same orifice as |Landis when they talk.

[Lucky Luke.]

......its late, I am tired, and I just finished reading the Landis interview,....... so what exactly are they saying? - I cant understand most of it - except that it just sounds like a load of beurocratic "Mumbo Jumbo" to me.

 

Considering the major media interest in the case, the UCI regrets the inappropriate speculation that has characterised the proceedings and expresses its desire that this affair be drawn to a conclusion in an orderly fashion.

 

I think what the UCI is saying is, 'wow, we almost got caught with our pants down a few months back when that German journalist forced the positive test into the public domain. Now the whole world is watching, and drawing obvious conclusions that we are a corrupt bunch of gangsters. The new Landis interview hasn't helped matters at all.

 

So now, since we have failed to cover this up completely, and the subsequent media heat is really starting to light a small fire under our testicles, we're going to hope and pray that this goes away quietly, quickly and with the minimum of fuss.

[TNT1]

I think what the UCI is saying is, 'wow, we almost got caught with our pants down a few months back when that German journalist forced the positive test into the public domain. Now the whole world is watching, and drawing obvious conclusions that we are a corrupt bunch of gangsters. The new Landis interview hasn't helped matters at all.

 

So now, since we have failed to cover this up completely, and the subsequent media heat is really starting to light a small fire under our testicles, we're going to hope and pray that this goes away quietly, quickly and with the minimum of fuss.

 

And then, morons that they are, they will appeal any sanction handed to Contador at CAS.

[Lucky Luke.]

GOG,

I have stopped reading Landis's words, man.

It is bitter and, even if possibly true, and so negative...

 

And the UCI Prez just denied any corruption EVER in the org...

 

AB, I found the interview pretty interesting. What part was bitter? It was never going to be a tale of sporting glory and happy endings.. did you expect something uplifting? Covering our eyes because it doesn't fit some fairytale about cycling that people prefer to swallow isn't going to help the sport.

[Lucky Luke.]

And then, morons that they are, they will appeal any sanction handed to Contador at CAS.

 

Very possibly. Contador's threats to give up cycling may be taken by them as more than just crybaby posturing. If he gives up on cycling there's nothing to stop him going the Landis route. He no doubt feels he's won everything on a level playing field and I'm not sure he would keep quiet if he turns his back on the sport. It's very much in the UCI's interest to maintain the status quo and keep Contador riding at this point.

Edited February 3, 2011 by Luke.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I think what the UCI is saying is, 'wow, we almost got caught with our pants down a few months back when that German journalist forced the positive test into the public domain. Now the whole world is watching, and drawing obvious conclusions that we are a corrupt bunch of gangsters. The new Landis interview hasn't helped matters at all.

 

So now, since we have failed to cover this up completely, and the subsequent media heat is really starting to light a small fire under our testicles, we're going to hope and pray that this goes away quietly, quickly and with the minimum of fuss.

 

Well, Landis said much of the same in his interview with Paul, so I would go along with your suggestion.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Very possibly. Contador's threats to give up cycling may be taken by them as more than just crybaby posturing. If he gives up on cycling there's nothing to stop him going the Landis route. He no doubt feels he's won everything on a level playing field and I'm not sure he would keep quiet if he turns his back on the sport. It's very much in the UCI's interest to maintain the status quo and keep Contador riding at this point.

 

Well, herein lies the crux Luke, if, and I say if, Alberto feels he is not given a fair shot, leaves and he takes up a job at Macdonalds flipping burgers, whats to stop him talking? Loudly.!

 

So, what happens? Are things covered up like Landis suggests and "made to go away" to maintain the Status Quo at the highest level? I mean he (Landis) says quite clearly he was told to 'Keep his money, shut up and things will blow over and he will get onto another team"..............Thats very concerning.

[rudi-h]

Very possibly. Contador's threats to give up cycling may be taken by them as more than just crybaby posturing. If he gives up on cycling there's nothing to stop him going the Landis route. He no doubt feels he's won everything on a level playing field and I'm not sure he would keep quiet if he turns his back on the sport. It's very much in the UCI's interest to maintain the status quo and keep Contador riding at this point.

 

 

If he would go the landis route, then he'd lose ALL his credibility (something that landis never had) Now, although he's been suspended, he is not seen as a serious doper and his previous successes aren't in question in the minds of most fans. If he hasn't spoken out yet, he will never even if there was something more or something deeper to be told, because then ALL his victories would come into question, not only the 2010 TDF!

 

The only thing that P's me off about doping sportsmen, is that nobody is ever man enough to admit to it when caught straight away...

[GrumpyOldGuy]

GOG,

I have stopped reading Landis's words, man.

It is bitter and, even if possibly true, and so negative...

 

And the UCI Prez just denied any corruption EVER in the org...

 

I dont think its negative at all Airbender. I saw it as a true tale of humanity.

 

Granted I didnt know a helluva lot about it as I wasnt THAT interested, but I know the history of the Landis saga, and he did nothing that any of the others didnt do, he was told to say NO and he did, maybe he was naive, I dont know, but at that point I defy anyone to stand up and say YES I doped, NOBODY, and I say NOBODY in the pro peleton would have said Yes given the Floyd situation.

 

As I said somewhere else "Let he who has no sin cast the first stone" - I wish Floyd well, the man has stood up and told the truth, dammit he risks a prison term for perjury, and to still stand there and say lock me up, but I am continuing to tell the truth takes courage and conviction - I think he was basically the fall guy for a lot of issues not even related to him.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

If he would go the landis route, then he'd lose ALL his credibility (something that landis never had) Now, although he's been suspended, he is not seen as a serious doper and his previous successes aren't in question in the minds of most fans. If he hasn't spoken out yet, he will never even if there was something more or something deeper to be told, because then ALL his victories would come into question, not only the 2010 TDF!

 

The only thing that P's me off about doping sportsmen, is that nobody is ever man enough to admit to it when caught straight away...

 

Landis may have lost his credability initially, but maybe it was not his fault, he was dealing with a lot of issues rudi-h, the collapse of his marriage, his best friend just committed suicide, he had moral issues from his conservative backround, and basically he was left out to dry in a freezing wind with no friends.

 

He made mistakes, sure, who of us has'nt, but he has redeemed himself in my view, there is an old saying "The truth will set you free" - I think he knows that now but, people love to hate, its easy to be judgemental and point fingers, walking a few days in his shoes is not that easy though.