World cycling’s governing body the International Cycling Union (UCI) confirmed on Monday it had requested that the Spanish cycling federation open disciplinary proceedings against Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, who failed a drug test.
The Spanish federation has two days to inform Contador of the opening of the procedure, which must be completed within a month, with the decision expected before the end of the year.
Contador, 27, won his third yellow jersey in July, but it was later revealed that he tested positive for trace amounts of the banned substance clenbuterol during the second rest day of the Tour de France on July 21.
Photo: AFP
Contador claims he ate contaminated meat, although skeptics suggest he may have inadvertently put clenbuterol — a weight-loss and muscle-building drug — back into his system via an illicit and performance-enhancing blood transfusion.
Contador’s side reacted calmly to the news.
“It is the normal procedure, indeed one we hoped for, that the Spanish Federation would decide on the case,” said Jacinto Vidarte, chief press officer for Contador.
“Contador will be able to present all the documentation and demonstrate that it was a case of contaminated food,” Vidarte said.
The Spanish federation announced later in a statement that it would act with the utmost haste to take care of the matter.
“The anti-doping department of the UCI transferred to us all the documentation with regard to this affair, demanding the opening of a disciplinary procedure as according to the anti-doping regulations laid down by the UCI,” it said.
“As with immediate effect and in accordance with the sport’s international rules, [we] will undertake all the necessary action to cast light on and resolve the questions raised by the positive test of the rider,” the statement said.
Provisionally suspended by the UCI, Contador’s future is hanging in the balance. If suspended for two years, he has threatened to quit the sport.
If Contador were to be sanctioned he would be stripped of this year’s Tour de France crown with the title going to Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck, who finished runner-up for the second straight year behind Contador.
However, in the case of American Floyd Landis, stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title for doping, Spaniard Oscar Pereiro was only officially declared winner fourteen months later.
Contador, who also won the Tour de France in 2007 and 2009, in August signed a two-year contract with the former Saxo Bank team of Schleck.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely