Landis Trial (Continued)
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by user ActiveEnduranceSports
In part 1, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) accused Floyd Landis of using banned synthetic testosterone during his 2006 Tour de France win. Landis’ urinalysis, conducted following his outstanding performance in Stage 17, showed an 11-to-1 testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio. According to the USADA, anything higher than 4-to-1 can be considered a positive test.
The longest anti-doping hearing in U.S. history came to an end yesterday. The three-member arbitration panel will likely take six or seven weeks to deliver its decision but despite the outcome, Landis’ reputation will be tarnished forever.
The nine-day arbitration case, which Landis demanded be open to the public, turned into an aggressive media campaign targeting the methodology used to process drug tests as well as the professional competence of scientists at the French laboratory where Landis tested positive for synthetic testosterone. Landis’ legal team made progress in this effort, although Landis may have shot himself in the foot during the proceedings.
USADA lead lawyer, Richard Young, highlighted the phone call made by Landis’ business manager, Will Geoghegan, to three-time Tour champion, Greg Lemond, late last Wednesday night. The call came from Geoghegan and threatened to expose Lemond’s early childhood history of being sexually abused if Lemond testified against Landis. Despite the threats, Lemond testified and Geoghegan was fired once the news was made public. It was then established that Landis was sitting at the same table as Geoghegan when the call was made. Landis denied all knowledge of the call, but admitted to finding out after the call was made. Young used the fact that Landis waited until the news was made public portray Landis as desperate and underhanded.
We can assume that this matter will not be solved anytime soon. It will be a month at the very least before the arbitrators release their ruling after which either side reserves the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. When that happens, a new trial will begin and you can check back here for updates.
(Photo provided by Gettyimages / Photographer Gabriel Bouys)
