体坛英语新闻：USADA hails UCI's "right decision" in Armstrong case

BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Cycling's governing body UCI has made "the right decision" to strip Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency chief Travis Tygart said on Tuesday.

UCI Monday ratified USADA's rule over the Armstrong case which effectively erased all his results dated back to August 1, 1998 including seven Tour titles between 1999 and 2005 and banned him for life.

"Today, the UCI made the right decision in the Lance Armstrong case. Despite its prior opposition to USADA's investigation into doping on the U.S. Postal Service cycling team and within the sport, USADA is glad that the UCI finally reversed course in this case and has made the credible decision available to it," said USADA CEO Tygart in a statement.

USADA gave Armstrong the punishments in August and on Oct. 10 released a detailed report, which included witness testimony from 11 former teammates in U.S. Postal cycling team and Discovery cycling team, accused Armstrong of cheating through the use of EPO, blood doping and other drugs and pushing his teammates to do the same.

Tygart, however, said the Armstrong conviction was not the end of story but a tip of the iceberg.

"This determination to uphold USADA's decision on the U.S. Postal Services case does not by itself clean up cycling nor does it ensure the sport has moved past the obstacles that allowed doping to flourish in the age of EPO and blood transfusions.

"...There are many more details of doping that are hidden, many more doping doctors, and corrupt team directors and the omerta has not yet been fully broken." he said.

Tygart urged UCI to introduce independent organization to combat doping in cycling.

"For cycling to truly move forward and for the world to know what went on in cycling, it is essential that an independent and meaningful Truth and Reconciliation Commission be established so that the sport can fully unshackle itself from the past," he said.