I say "Good riddance"



USA CYCLING STATEMENT REGARDING TYLER HAMILTON AND "OPERATION PUERTO"
Colorado Springs, Colo. (September 14, 2006)--USA Cycling received information today from the UCI regarding Tyler Hamilton and his alleged involvement in "Operation Puerto" along with a request to move forward with disciplinary action.

USA Cycling has immediately referred the case to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for adjudication.

"We received a communication from the UCI today containing the "Operation Puerto" dossier for Mr. Tyler Hamilton and a request to open disciplinary proceedings against him," said Steve Johnson, chief executive officer of USA Cycling. "As required by our anti-doping regulations, we have forwarded the complete dossier to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and have asked them to adjudicate this case on our behalf."

All inquiries regarding this matter should be referred directly to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. USA Cycling will have no further comment on this case.

If the evidence links to his doping prior to the end of 2004, then I don't think he can be convicted twice for the same crime.

If the evidence links to his doping prior to the end of 2004, then I don't think he can be convicted twice for the same crime.

I believe it's recent, like within a year or so. At least that what I been hearing. I just don't understand why Tyler or anyone would get involve with doping while under suspension.

doesn't matter when. It is not the same crime. He was specifically suspended for failed Vuelta A & B sample on a specific day due to failing the then new HBT test.

The new charges will cover other doping methods on different days. Even if it was the same day wouldn't matter as long as it was a different doping method. He never admitted to the blood transfusions or any other type of doping.

When you get conficted of doping doesn't mean you get a pass on any and all other doping.

What constitutes separate offenses? i.e Do these mean two year suspensions, or lifetime bans for second offenses?

1 Rider tests positive for EPO in race A , serves his/her sentence then tests positive again after coming back(Clearly separate)

2 Rider tests positive for EPO in Race A and later DNA evidence shows he blood doped four weeks earlier in the year.

3 A month after the race, a positive EPO test shows up for stage 2 of the TDF, and Testosteone in stage 13?

4 Rider tests positive for stimulant in subsequent testing in stage 4 and 6 of a stage race.

4 Rider admits to using EPO, serves suspension and later DNA tests shows he was also blood doping during the same time.

We need to watch the way we use the word "crime" here. Nobody is being fined, nobody is going to jail, no crime has been committed. There is no judge, no jury, just an arbitration panel hearing lawyers on both sides and determining if he can or cannot participate in a sport. While there are similarities, like the gobs of money being spent on both sides, that's really where it ends. Double jepardy standards aren't applicable as these are rules of conduct in a sport, not law.