The Armstrong myth and its seven Tours of France, at the mercy of the UCI

Lance Armstrong could disappear this Monday from the Tour de France record as a seven-time champion of the race if the International Cycling Union (UCI) decides to confirm the punishment imposed by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Used) on the former Texan cyclist. Rarely has the decision of a sports federation been so long awaited. The UCI, which will not make its decision public at its Swiss headquarters in Aigle, has summoned the press in a hotel in Geneva, starting at 13.00:XNUMX p.m.

On August 24, Usada decided to erase Armstrong's entire record since August 1, 1998 and suspend him from competition for life. However, only the highest body in world cycling can make this sanction valid beyond US territory, especially in reference to his victories in the Tour de France between 1999 and 2005.

"Unless the examination of the documents shows a significant problem, the UCI does not intend to appeal" the decision of the Usada, the president of the UCI, Pat MacQuaid, has repeated on many occasions since September. The UCI was first of all waiting for the Usada report to verify possible "competition and prescription" problems, but the international cycling body has already received a slap on the wrist.

In its report published on October 10, the Usada explains how the cyclist who survived testicular cancer was able to stand out in the peloton through injections of erythropoietin (EPO), blood transfusions and testosterone pills, and accuses the UCI to have protected its champion.

La Usada pointed the finger at its former president, Hein Verbruggen, still honorary president, and is also not very tender with his successor since 2005, Pat McQuaid, who, instead -according to the US agency- of listening to the confessions of Floyd Landis , one of Armstrong's former teammates, in 2010, took him to court for defamation.

If he confirms Usada's decision, the 'Armstrong case' will be closed at a sporting level and the UCI will try to turn the page on the black years of cycling. But the report from the US agency, which speaks of "one of the most sordid chapters in the history of sport", has become an official version.

Despite the risk of being accused of following Armstrong's game once again, the UCI also has good reasons not to ratify the sanction and go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on appeal. On the one hand, to give his version of the facts and, on the other, to request a sanction that falls within the same scales as those of other great cycling stars of the 'Armstrong era' convicted of doping, from the Spanish Alejandro Valverde to German Jan Ullrich.

Money and threat of jail

The World Anti-Doping Code normally sets the statute of limitations for anti-doping violations at eight years and the maximum duration of a suspension for a first conviction at four. However, Usada has decided to break those rules for the reason that Armstrong did everything to hide the fraudulent acts from him.

At 41, the former Texan cyclist could lose more than just a few lines in one of the most extensive awards in the history of sport. For the time being, he has already resigned from the presidency of his Livestrong foundation and has lost several sponsors, including Nike, which had supported him since 1996. Financially, he could also suffer, since the nine million euros of accumulated earnings on his bike could be claimed from you.

After sporting justice, the 1993 world champion could also have problems in the legal field in the United States. He could be accused of perjury, for having stated under oath that he had never doped, with the risk of ending up in prison.

On Friday, at a gala on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of its foundation in Austin, Texas, Armstrong cited Martin Luther King and his "infinite hope." A hope that rests in the ICU.

elcorreo.com