CCES Press Release.(Ottawa, Ontario – October 10, 2012) – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) commends the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on providing the Reasoned Decision regarding the Lance Armstrong case and the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team doping conspiracy. This information is important to maintain transparency, which underlies credible anti-doping efforts around the world.
“This Reasoned Decision represents a significant step forward in the fight against doping in sport,” said Paul Melia, President and CEO of the CCES. “It demonstrates the need for anti-doping agencies to not just carry out testing, but to gather intelligence, conduct investigations, share information with other agencies and prosecute violators, regardless of their individual profile, when the evidence supports it.”
The CCES has great confidence in USADA. It is a highly regarded anti-doping organization that would have adhered to the World Anti-Doping Code and the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) anti-doping rules throughout this investigation. In keeping with the principle of mutual recognition, we anticipate that other World Anti-Doping Code signatories will also respect the outcome of this work and recognize the many violations that result.
Michael Barry, a Canadian cycling athlete, has been implicated in this doping scandal. With respect to Mr. Barry, the CCES cooperated and collaborated with USADA during this investigation. USADA and the CCES communicated and shared information regularly. After learning that Mr. Barry was a person of interest in the Armstrong investigation, the CCES confirmed that he was not selected to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games. The CCES recognizes USADA’s jurisdiction over Mr. Barry and their determination of an anti-doping rule violation against him, the disqualification of his competitive results from the period of 2003 to 2006 along with his six-month sanction.
The sanction issued by USADA is based on Mr. Barry providing substantial assistance to USADA that will allow USADA to prove other anti-doping rule violations. The assistance provided to USADA was by means of a detailed sworn affidavit and an agreement to participate in any hearings and appeals, as required. The sanction of six months for a first doping violation is consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code and the CCES believes it is appropriate given the circumstances.
“Michael Barry was wrong to have participated in this extensive doping conspiracy,” said Melia. “His sanction, including the disqualification of results, is justified. At the same time, he ought now to be commended for doing the right thing: for speaking up, admitting his mistakes and providing USADA with credible information into the doping practices within the sport of cycling.”
Going forward, the CCES will now review and analyze the full Reasoned Decision and will cooperate with USADA to gather as much intelligence as possible from the investigation, which may be relevant to Canadian sport. Any Canadian athlete, in any sport, with information related to doping or doping practices in Canadian sport or elsewhere, is encouraged to contact the CCES.
The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport is an independent, national, not-for profit organization. We recognize that true sport can make a great difference for individuals, communities and our country. We are committed to working collaboratively to activate a values-based and principle-driven sport system; protecting the integrity of sport from the negative forces of doping and other unethical threats; and advocating for sport that is fair, safe and open to everyone.
