"In June 2012, USADA accused Armstrong of doping and trafficking of drugs, based on blood samples from 2009 and 2010, and testimonies from witnesses including former teammates.[7] Armstrong, denying all doping use in a statement,[8][9] was suspended from competition in cycling and triathlon.[10][11] Armstrong was charged in a letter from USADA, along with five others including former team manager Johan Bruyneel.[12] USADA said Armstrong used banned substances, including the blood-booster EPO and steroids, as well as blood transfusions dating back to 1996.[13]
Activity leading to August decision[edit]
In July 2012, Armstrong filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas requesting that the court "bar USADA from pursuing its case or issuing any sanctions against him" based on the claim that "USADA rules violate athletes' constitutional rights to a fair trial, and that the agency does not have jurisdiction in his case." On July 10, 2012, after U. S. District Judge Sam Sparks threw out the initial lawsuit being overly lengthy, Armstrong filed a revised lawsuit.[14] The same day, three of Armstrong's former U.S. Postal Service cycling team associates—Luis Garcia del Moral, a team doctor, Michele Ferrari, a consulting doctor, and Jose "Pepe" Marti, team trainer—refused to take part in arbitration and were automatically banned from Olympic-level sports for life.[15]
U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks issued his ruling on August 20, 2012.[16] He ruled in favor of USADA. However he questioned the timing and motivation of USADA's investigation of Armstrong, and their apparent "single minded determination to force Armstrong to arbitrate" but also noting "in direct conflict with UCI's equally evident desire not to proceed against him". Applying rational basis review to the Federal Arbitration Act, the Stevens Amateur Sports Act, and various governing documents of USADA, USOC, and U.S. Cycling, Sparks upheld USADA's authority to investigate Armstrong and initiate arbitration against him, and that Armstrong's right to due process could not be violated by USADA before any proceedings had actually occurred.[17]
Four days after Judge Sparks's decision, on August 24, 2012, USADA officially charged him with doping. Had it prevailed in arbitration, Armstrong would have been stripped of all of his results from August 1, 1998 onward—including all seven Tour de France wins. USADA also sought to ban Armstrong for life from any activity or competition whose federation followed the World Anti-Doping Code—which would have effectively banned him from competing in Olympic-level sports" (c)




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