Hamilton doping appeal dropped by WADA

On Friday, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) withrew its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for Tyler Hamilton. In June, Hamilton had accepted an eight-year suspension as punishment for what was his second doping positive offense.

"Following receipt of the background information that was not available to WADA when the appeal was launched, WADA has determined that the eight-year sanction imposed by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) was appropriate in the particular circumstances of this case," read a statement on the organization's website.

Hamilton tested positive, his second offense, for the banned steroid Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). His ban began on March 17, the date of the provisional suspension.

Following news of the positive test, Hamilton announced his retirement. He admitted to knowingly taking the substance which was an ingredient in a vitamin supplement he took in an attempt to alleviate depression.

He previously served a doping offense lasting two year for blood doping after testing positive for a transfusion in the 2004 Vuelta a España.

The second offense and subsequent ban effectively ended the career of the 38-year-old pro.

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