Lance Armstrong | The Doping Controversy Continues

As readers may know, the controversy about Austin resident and seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has resurfaced recently.

USADA Charges

The U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA) notified Armstrong and other members of the team on June 12, 2012 of its opening of a formal action alleging anti-doping rule violations. (read the notification here) On June 29, the three-person Anti-Doping Review Board made a unanimous recommendation to move forward with Armstrong’s adjudication process.

Soon after, on July 10, the USADA announced that Dr. Luis Garcia del Moral (cycling team doctor), Dr. Michele Ferrari (cycling team consulting doctor) and Jose “Pepe” Martí (cycling team trainer) have all received lifetime periods of ineligibility as the result of their anti-doping rule violations in the United States Postal Service (USPS) Cycling Team Doping Conspiracy. (read more here)

Armstrong’s Response

On July 9, Armstrong filed a lawsuit and a motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in the Western District of Texas in an attempt to shut down the USADA case. (read the Complaint and TRO )

However, six hours later, the Court dismissed (without prejudice) Armstrong’s suit in a strongly worded Order. The Court noted, “Contrary to Armstrong’s apparent belief, pleadings filed in the United States District Courts are not press releases, internet blogs, or pieces of investigative journalism.” (read the Order here) Armstrong was allowed to re-file an amended complaint within 20 days of the Court’s order which he did the next day.

Armstrong’s Amended Complaint of July 10 contended that the USADA doesn’t have the right to force him to arbitrate without a valid arbitration agreement and the USADA tortiously interfered with his contract with Union Cycliste Internationale. Armstrong v. Tygart et al. , No. A-12-CA-606-SS. (read the July 10th Amended Complaint here).

What’s Next?

On July 11, the USADA granted Armstrong an extension of up to 30 days (the original deadline was July 14) to contest drug charges while the he challenges the case in federal court. If Armstrong doesn’t respond to doping charges before the USADA prior to the end of the extension period and ask for an arbitration hearing to face the allegations, a lifetime ban will go into place and he could face the loss of his Tour de France titles.

Our upcoming posts will discuss the recent developments in detail. Stay tuned!

Related Posts:

• Three doctors charged in Armstrong doping case, BBC, June 14, 2012
• USADA Files Formal Charges Against Armstrong, ABC News, June 29, 2012
• Lance Armstrong Suit to Dismiss Doping Case Thrown Out, ABC News, July 9, 2012
• Lance Armstrong Faces Grim Endgame as His Doctors Are Banned for Doping, ABC News, July 10, 2012
• Armstrong gets 30-day extension to answer doping charges, USA Today, July 12, 2012