Lance Armstrong doping allegations snare docs, trainer
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong attends the Paris Roubaix cycling race on April 8, 2012, in Paris.
Two doctors and a trainer who worked with Lance Armstrong teams when he dominated the Tour de France received lifetime bans from the the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency today.
Dr. Luis Garcia del Moral, consultant Dr. Michele Ferrari and trainer Jose “Pepe” Marti worked with the US Postal Service and Discovery Channel cycling teams.
“Permanently banning these individuals from sport is a powerful statement that protects the current and next generation of athletes from their influence, and preserves the integrity of future competition,” USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart said, according to USA Today.
The USADA accused them of doping conspiracy. They had until Monday to accept punishment or appeal, USA Today said.
Armstrong dominated the Tour de France, winning seven consecutive titles from 1999 to 2005.
In announcing the bans, the USADA also outlined the evidence against Armstrong, who it also accuses of doping.
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Del Moral helped athletes with blood doping, withdrawing blood to boost oxygen levels, and then helped them cover up the process, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“Dr. Del Moral brought riders to his sports medicine clinic in Valencia, Spain, where he withdrew blood for prohibited blood transfusions,” the USADA said, according to the LA Times. “Dr. Del Moral also assisted with saline infusions in order to keep the rider’s blood levels below threshold levels to avoid detection of their drug use.”
Ferrari mixed endurance-enhancing erythropoietin (EPO) with olive oil to help athletes recover, while also assisting them with doping schedules, Fox Sports said.
Marti “delivered performance-enhancing drugs, including EPO, testosterone, human growth hormone and cortisone,” the USADA said, according to Fox.
Armstrong himself faces doping allegations, but sued the USADA calling the charges baseless.
A judge dismissed Armstrong's suit on Monday; however, the judge said Armstrong’s lawyers could refile, Reuters reported.
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