asgelle

Sadly, no. The buck may STOP there, but that's not where it starts. Note, "... enforces disciplinary rules, such as in matters of doping." See that word "enforces"?

GreenAnvil

@asgelle: Exactly. As in "the last word"? So, which part about "enforcing" is unclear to you?

asgelle

Do you think enforcing is a synonym for creating? I'll answer (because this grows tedious) it's not. WADA creates the doping rules and penalties and as a signatory to the WADA code (required for participation in the Olympics), UCI is required to enforce it without alteration. So anyone who suggests UCI should issue lifetime bans for doping violations just doesn't understand the system.

GreenAnvil

It's not tedious... c'mon. Let's try one more time.

Yes, WADA code = do you want to participate in the Olympics? Yes? Adhere to these rules.

And the WADA rules started in... what, first LA TdF win?

How many positive tests did LA produce? So his ban was retroactively applied not based on tests (Landis mentioned some bribing). LA. confessed, but so did other riders, right?

So, UCI can say, wow, you cheated, your results are stricken. And do it for riders A, B, and C, not just for rider A because he's so toxic that we hate him (the point being discussed), and not for the others. UCI can also say, hmmm... WADA is not after you, but since we know you also cheated, as a matter of principle since I stripped A from his wins I'm going to strip you too to be fair.

So, UCI can, as a governing body adhere to the WADA agreement, but then again, they can choose not to. What, cyclists don't go to the Olympics? So... They can still go to the Tour, which UCI sanctions and still decides who gets to keep a yellow jersey.

The ties that bind are *agreements* which human nature being what it is are easily altered, broken, or easily disposed of.

So, as a "world governing body" for cycling I volunteer that, yes, the UCI is the last authority when it comes to the sport.

And we're not talking lifetime bans on this thread... we're talking (at least I am) about impartiality and moving on from the eternal LA hatred.

Ok. Cool.

asgelle

Sorry, I prefer to operate in the reality based universe.

GreenAnvil

^^^Alrighty. We're good.

Crewchief911

Where did I say I hated anyone? I sense you are trying to inject a racial aspect to this. I don't care what color Bonds is. None of them are clean, and I don't think McGwire is any cleaner than Bonds. I have met McGwire ,he lived near me when he was with the A's, and he's a jerk. I don't "hate" any of them. And Lance Armstrong doesn't get a free pass from me either. It just seems people single out ONE person for their outrage, when so many of their peers were cheaters as well. I haven't seen anyone PO'd about Tour de California showing Hincape at every podium , and he cheated when he was riding too. But okay, we have different points of view. So be it.

GreenAnvil

@crewChief: Ok, different points of view. No worries; 'tis the Internet.

Gallo

I think the UCI would have loved for this whole thing to go away just ask Pat McQuaid. Bottom line is the USADA and in particular Travis Tygart saw fit to prosecute LA not due to his meanness but he represented some sort of golden goose or feather in the cap if you will. I think Tygart wanted to use this a a launching pad of sorts. I think he felt it would be a cornerstone in the cleaning up of all sports. So far it has served for defamation of LA and not much else. I think Tygart has an ego as well and used millions of taxpayers dollars here in the US to go after LA. It is still widely held that doping has not been eradicated not just in cycling but other sports as well. The culture of doping has maybe changed but appears to remain strong and seems to be one step ahead of the testers as it has been for many years.

Long way of saying the UCI upheld USADA arbitration. They had the right to challenge but most likely would have lost.

Denmark, Italy, Spain, Germany, Russia etc have made no such cases against their athletes in after the fact races or performances with no evidence ie dirty tests so UCI can overlook them. Those caught during races and testing dirty are another matter