Lance Armstrong passes drug test; gets penalized anyway

[Rogue 9]

New York Daily News (Don't know their reputation, but I just heard it on NPR, so I trust the story.)

French officials: Lance Armstrong may have violated drug testing rules

BLOOMBERG NEWS

Thursday, April 9th 2009, 9:59 AM

Lance Armstrong, the record seven-time winner of the Tour de France cycling race, may have violated drug-testing rules and might face disciplinary action, France's antidoping agency said.

The 37-year-old Texan, who came out of retirement in January to raise awareness about cancer and plans to race in this year's Tour, was tested by a doctor from the organization in the south of France, where the cyclist was training, on March 17, the Agence Francaise de Lutte Contre le Dopage, or AFLD, said today in a statement on its Web site.

Armstrong "didn't respect the obligation to remain under observation of the person in charge of the doping control," the agency said. The group's report was sent to the International Cycling Union, which in turn gave the French organization authority to open a disciplinary enquiry, it said.

Armstrong, who rides for the Astana team, said in an April 7 statement on the livestrong.com Web site that reports that he "misbehaved" during the control were "outrageous."

"I find it amazing that I have been tested 24 times without incident, and the first test I do in France results in more outrageous allegations and negative leaks to the press," he said in the statement.

"This is just another example of the improper behavior by the French laboratory and the French antidoping organizations," Armstrong said. "I am sorry that they are disappointed that all the tests were negative, but I do not use any prohibited drugs or substances."

AFLD didn't say whether Armstrong failed any of the tests or if it had decided to open a disciplinary investigation.

Philippe Maertens, a spokesman for the Astana team, said in an interview that the AFLD statement is "nothing new."

"Lance didn't do anything wrong, nothing has changed," he said by telephone. "If any action is taken, then we'll see, but there is no problem. We're not worried about anything."

The story is timestamped at about 50 minutes ago, but the NPR report at the top of the hour confirmed that the test did not detect any drugs in his system, and said that the French agency had determined he had broken the rules and was considering unspecified disciplinary action.

[The Spartan]

I'm really skeptical of anything the French doping agency has to say about Armstrong. They've been out to get him for a while now, for whatever reason, and this just seems to be another in a long line of them trying to nail him for something.

[aerius]

I'm surprised they didn't bust him for his carbon fiber collarbone replacement.

[Siege]

Sheesh, are they still at this? How long ago is it since Armstrong beat Hinault and Anquetil's old records? 2004, I think? After all this time they still can't stand the thought that someone (and especially an American) could actually be this good without using doping--which frankly is a rather bizarre stance for them to take. You'd think the Tour de France has had enough doping scandals recently that everyone in France ought to be frickin' jubilant when one of the sparse few dope-free celebrity cyclists choses to return to the Tour.

[CaptainChewbacca]

So they're saying he's cheating, even though they have no proof?

[Flagg]

So they're saying he's cheating, even though they have no proof?

No, they are saying he broke the rules of the doping test. This can all be easily resolved by him simply retaking the test and following the rules this time (assuming he broke them in the first place).

EDIT: Frankly, I'm not so willing to give athletes the benefit of the doubt in these situations. We've been burned by too many of them who stridently defended themselves with outrage at the very idea that they have been accused only for them to admit to being roided up to the gills a few years later.

[Isolder74]

more or less that's it.

[CJvR]

Well given the events of recent years it is hardly surprising that there is a certain paranoia. The last thing TDF wants is another tour leader pulled off the road or a winner confirmed as a cheater.

[Rogue 9]

So they're saying he's cheating, even though they have no proof?

No, they are saying he broke the rules of the doping test. This can all be easily resolved by him simply retaking the test and following the rules this time (assuming he broke them in the first place).

EDIT: Frankly, I'm not so willing to give athletes the benefit of the doubt in these situations. We've been burned by too many of them who stridently defended themselves with outrage at the very idea that they have been accused only for them to admit to being roided up to the gills a few years later.

The only rule he broke was being out of the guy's sight while his staff made sure he was legit. I somehow doubt this would allow him to quickly purge all traces of drugs in his system if there were any.

[Flagg]

So they're saying he's cheating, even though they have no proof?

No, they are saying he broke the rules of the doping test. This can all be easily resolved by him simply retaking the test and following the rules this time (assuming he broke them in the first place).

EDIT: Frankly, I'm not so willing to give athletes the benefit of the doubt in these situations. We've been burned by too many of them who stridently defended themselves with outrage at the very idea that they have been accused only for them to admit to being roided up to the gills a few years later.

The only rule he broke was being out of the guy's sight while his staff made sure he was legit. I somehow doubt this would allow him to quickly purge all traces of drugs in his system if there were any.

And? He still broke a rule of the test. That's all anyone is even claiming.

[Rogue 9]

Yeah, but there's no doubt to give him the benefit of: The test was administered, and came up entirely negative for any banned substance. Taking a shower after physical training (which is what he did) couldn't conceivably permit him to cheat the test in any way that would actually affect the results. He was administered a drug test and passed it, just like he's passed every other drug test. There's very little room to think he's somehow doped up despite all this, even in light of the behavior of other athletes.

[Flagg]

Yeah, but there's no doubt to give him the benefit of: The test was administered, and came up entirely negative for any banned substance. Taking a shower after physical training (which is what he did) couldn't conceivably permit him to cheat the test in any way that would actually affect the results. He was administered a drug test and passed it, just like he's passed every other drug test. There's very little room to think he's somehow doped up despite all this, even in light of the behavior of other athletes.

I don't disagree. I was simply stating that I'm unwilling to jump to the defense of athletes due to the rampant doping going on. There's no evidence that Armstrong is one of the athletes engaging in such activity and no one is saying anything different.

[aerius]

The only rule he broke was being out of the guy's sight while his staff made sure he was legit. I somehow doubt this would allow him to quickly purge all traces of drugs in his system if there were any.

The reason for the rule is that cheaters in the past have used hidden tubes leading to samples of clean urine in a baggie which they've taped on their bodies or otherwise concealed. Instead of pissing into the bottle, they drained the clean urine through the tube into the bottle, so now they have observers who watch & make sure the athletes actually piss into the bottle. So it could actually be a big deal. If true, he's broken a key rule of the testing procedures and there will be a price to pay for that.

[[R_H]]

The thing is, he took a twenty minute shower, and was unchaperoned. He was supposed to be chaperoned until the test was administered. It's strange that the guy from the antidoping agency allowed him to shower before taking the test.

[Rogue 9]

The only rule he broke was being out of the guy's sight while his staff made sure he was legit. I somehow doubt this would allow him to quickly purge all traces of drugs in his system if there were any.

The reason for the rule is that cheaters in the past have used hidden tubes leading to samples of clean urine in a baggie which they've taped on their bodies or otherwise concealed. Instead of pissing into the bottle, they drained the clean urine through the tube into the bottle, so now they have observers who watch & make sure the athletes actually piss into the bottle. So it could actually be a big deal. If true, he's broken a key rule of the testing procedures and there will be a price to pay for that.

Yes, but did he take the urine sample while in the shower? Besides, they also tested his hair and I think a skin sample, but I'm not sure. As long as he gave the urine sample in front of the tester and the other samples were taken from his body within his vision, I don't see how he could have cheated it.

[RedImperator]

Yes, but did he take the urine sample while in the shower? Besides, they also tested his hair and I think a skin sample, but I'm not sure. As long as he gave the urine sample in front of the tester and the other samples were taken from his body within his vision, I don't see how he could have cheated it.

The rules are written the way they are so that there are no opportunities for any sleight-of-hand. If you get called for a random drug test at work, do you think they'll let you go somewhere else for twenty minutes, and then come back for the test? I agree the French have been after Armstrong for years with bullshit accusations, but the rules apply to everyone.

[Steel]

You dont just need to worry about people taping bags to themselves; it has been known for athletes to have a sample of clean urine put into their own bladder via catheter and then piss that back out later, so that sort of thing is the reason why people cant be left alone prior to testing. If you're going to such lengths to cheat there isnt much limit to what you'll do to avoid getting caught.

[Beowulf]

The rules are written the way they are so that there are no opportunities for any sleight-of-hand. If you get called for a random drug test at work, do you think they'll let you go somewhere else for twenty minutes, and then come back for the test? I agree the French have been after Armstrong for years with bullshit accusations, but the rules apply to everyone.

I've had exactly that happen. "Hey, you need to take a piss test. Sign this to acknowledge that you've been notified. Show up at the testing center by 1400." There's no tracking of where you go between notification and actual testing. There's several hours between when you get called to take the test and when you report.

[Rogue 9]

Yes, but did he take the urine sample while in the shower? Besides, they also tested his hair and I think a skin sample, but I'm not sure. As long as he gave the urine sample in front of the tester and the other samples were taken from his body within his vision, I don't see how he could have cheated it.

The rules are written the way they are so that there are no opportunities for any sleight-of-hand. If you get called for a random drug test at work, do you think they'll let you go somewhere else for twenty minutes, and then come back for the test? I agree the French have been after Armstrong for years with bullshit accusations, but the rules apply to everyone.

He came home and a random guy was at his house with apparently insufficient credentials on him to satisfy Armstrong that he was legit without having to call in and check. What the fuck is he supposed to do, just accede to the demands of anyone who comes to his door? I sure as hell wouldn't in his place.

[RedImperator]

The rules are written the way they are so that there are no opportunities for any sleight-of-hand. If you get called for a random drug test at work, do you think they'll let you go somewhere else for twenty minutes, and then come back for the test? I agree the French have been after Armstrong for years with bullshit accusations, but the rules apply to everyone.

I've had exactly that happen. "Hey, you need to take a piss test. Sign this to acknowledge that you've been notified. Show up at the testing center by 1400." There's no tracking of where you go between notification and actual testing. There's several hours between when you get called to take the test and when you report.

The testing you got was a lot less strict than mine, then. "Hey, your name got pulled for a piss test. Go with the security guy to the health center."

He came home and a random guy was at his house with apparently insufficient credentials on him to satisfy Armstrong that he was legit without having to call in and check. What the fuck is he supposed to do, just accede to the demands of anyone who comes to his door? I sure as hell wouldn't in his place.

Well, okay, super. Since that's not evident from the OP and I don't know how to read minds or foresee the future, how about a source?

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Wait, based on the interplay between Beowulf and RI, doesn't that mean that RI's school district actually has stricter testing procedures than the US Air Force? I mean, what the hell?

[RedImperator]

Wait, based on the interplay between Beowulf and RI, doesn't that mean that RI's school district actually has stricter testing procedures than the US Air Force? I mean, what the hell?

This was a previous job. I worked for an oil industry contractor that did a lot of on-site work in refineries.

[Lonestar]

Wait, based on the interplay between Beowulf and RI, doesn't that mean that RI's school district actually has stricter testing procedures than the US Air Force? I mean, what the hell?

In the USN it's a bit different, you're expected to show up as soon as possible. If you're on a ship they actually hold your CAC(which you're suppose to flash whenever you're exiting or arriving on ship to the OOD) until you take the piss.

And THAT is a bit different from the Army, where they scoot up and watch your pecker as you pee, if my coworkers are to be believed.

[Pulp Hero]

And THAT is a bit different from the Army, where they scoot up and watch your pecker as you pee, if my coworkers are to be believed.

Yes, a random Army piss test usually occurs either right at the beginning of morning PT (exercise) or during a unit recall. Everyone shows up unsuspecting and then is carted off the the testing center. Once there we are kept under supervision and when we piss, it is done in t-shirts only (no long sleeved tops) and either a NCO or civilian acts as your "dick gazer" the whole time.