UCI waiting for explanation
Cycling's governing body will sanction Armstrong if necessary
Last Updated: September 2, 2012 7:13pm
The International Cycling Union (UCI) say they "will not be afraid" to enforce sanctions against Lance Armstrong if necessary, but have not yet received evidence from the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
On August 24 USADA announced their intention to strip Armstrong of the seven Tour de France titles he won from 1999 to 2005 and annul all of his results dating back to August 1998 after the American decided not to contest the doping charges brought against him by the agency.
USADA say they have over a dozen witnesses who agreed to testify and give evidence that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs and encouraged others to do so.
The UCI had challenged USADA's jurisdiction and have the option of appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the ruling on Armstrong and the issue of jurisdiction.
"We have sanctioned many good riders in the past, we've put them out of the sport and we're not afraid to do it with anybody."
UCI president Pat McQuaid Quotes of the week
But they plan to wait to receive a communication outlining USADA's reasoning for their sanctions before deciding whether to take any action.
Letter
"They've sent us a letter saying they will send us a reasoned decision, so we will wait for that," UCI president Pat McQuaid said.
"That was, I think about a week ago, I'm not sure exactly what day. Soon after they announced the sanctions.
"If ultimately UCI has to sanction, we will have no problems. We have sanctioned many good riders in the past, we've put them out of the sport and we're not afraid to do it with anybody."
Speaking at the London Velodrome on the final day of the Paralympic Games track cycling competition, McQuaid expressed frustration at dealing with yet another negative case in the sport.
"It is a pity, it's a great pity," he added.
"There are so many positive things happening, the whole Olympic Games was great for cycling, not just in Britain but around the world, because the atmosphere and the crowds and everything, that was portrayed and sent and noticed all over the world.
"We had the biggest crowd ever for the Olympic road race, likewise the time-trial. And it went on from there, and these Paralympics are the same. But it is unfortunate, but we'll wait and see."
