Expect to see Lance Armstrong in suit and tie this fall if his case goes to arbitration(Image credit: AFP Photo)
A pensive Lance Armstrong(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
It's still about the bike: Lance Armstrong back in the saddle(Image credit: Trent Bona Photography)
The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has granted Lance Armstrong a 30-day extension to decide whether he will accept the lifetime ban proposed for alleged doping and conspiracy charges or fight the case in an arbitration hearing, USADA has confirmed. The move allows time for a Texas judge to consider a federal lawsuit against USADA filed by Armstrong's attorneys.
"USADA has agreed to extend its Saturday, July 14th deadline for 30 days. A temporary restraining order is not now necessary. This extension will allow the court sufficient time to evaluate Mr. Armstrong’s amended complaint," stated Armstrong spokesman Mark Fabiani.
Armstrong's team has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the validity of the USADA case, part of which was a request for a restraining order aimed at delaying the deadline to decide upon arbitration or not. The maximum amount of time a court could have granted to Armstrong's team would have been 14 days with one 14-day extension, so the 30-day extension rendered the request moot.
Armstrong has been accused by USADA of not only using performance enhancing drugs throughout his career but also engaging in a conspiracy together with his US Postal and Discovery Channel team manager Johan Bruyneel and doctors Pedro Celaya, Luis Garcia del Moral, Michele Ferrari and trainer Jose "Pepe" Martí.
USADA CEO Travis Tygart confirmed to Cyclingnews that the extension was granted after Armstrong's attorneys filed the amended federal suit, which calls into question the validity of USADA's jurisdiction and other issues which are fundamental to the worldwide anti-doping effort.
"USADA has granted Mr. Armstrong a brief extension of up to 30 days to contest the doping charges until the court dismisses the lawsuit or rules on any preliminary injunction," Tygart stated. "USADA believes this lawsuit, like previous lawsuits aimed at concealing the truth, is without merit and is confident the court will continue to uphold the established rules which are compliant with federal law and were approved by athletes, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and all Olympic sports organisations."
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Laura Weislo is a Cyclingnews veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.
