AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — Lance Armstrong called it a “witch hunt” from the very beginning, saying a French newspaper used dubious evidence to accuse him of doping — even charging that lab officials mishandled his samples and broke the rules.
According to a Dutch investigator’s findings released Wednesday, he might have been right.
The report, commissioned late last year by the International Cycling Union, cleared the record seven-time Tour de France champion of allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his first win in 1999.
It said tests on urine samples were conducted improperly and fell so short of scientific standards that it was “completely irresponsible” to suggest they “constitute evidence of anything.”
The investigation also concluded that the French laboratory that handled the samples and the World Anti-Doping Agency “violated applicable rules on athlete confidentiality by commenting publicly on the alleged positive findings.”
“Armstrong exonerated of doping in ‘99 Tour de France”
In a related story, Barry’s back is causing him some “suffering”, and he’ll miss another start. ;)
UPDATE
Of course, Europe is in a tizzy: Report Reopens Doping Debate over Armstrong
