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elkid
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Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8353
Location: hiding out in Philly
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 Posted: 09/21/04 - 13:12 Post subject: U.S. cyclist Hamilton could lose Olympic gold
Discuss.
Tyler Hamilton's cycling team told he failed tests
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Olympic time-trial champion Tyler Hamilton of the United States is being investigated for possible blood doping and could be stripped of his gold medal. Tests at the Athens Olympics on Aug. 19 and at the Spanish Vuelta on Sept. 18 showed evidence of blood from another person, cycling's governing body said, according to a spokesman for Hamilton's team, Phonak. Follow-up tests were scheduled for later Tuesday. If found guilty of a violation at the Olympics, Hamilton would lose his gold. Three athletes had gold medals revoked for doping during the Aug. 13-29 games.
Phonak spokesman Georges Luedinger said Hamilton denied having a transfusion -- which can boost an athlete's performance by increasing the amount of oxygen-transporting red blood cells in his system. "Tyler told us he did nothing,'' Luedinger said. Phonak planned a news conference in Zurich later Tuesday. A record 24 athletes -- none American -- were caught with drug-test violations at the Athens Olympics.
Asked about Hamilton's reported positive test at the Olympics, IOC medical director Patrick Schamasch said, "For the moment, I can't confirm or deny anything.'' IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said, "As with all doping procedures, while a process is underway, we can't go into details.''
USA Cycling CEO Gerard Bisceglia said the IOC had not said anything to his organization about Hamilton's medal. He said he was waiting to see the results of the tests Hamilton was to take Tuesday. "We're not in a position to take a position. We hope for the best with this, as we do with any athlete,'' Bisceglia said. The U.S. Olympic Committee said it had no comment.
Hamilton's gold was one of four medals won by American cyclists at the Athens Games -- the team's best showing since winning nine at the boycotted 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Hamilton was the only American cyclist to win a gold medal in Athens, and he called that victory "the highlight of my career, by far.''
Hamilton's mother said from her home in Marblehead, Mass., that the family learned of the tests Tuesday morning. "This comes as a total shock to us,'' Lorna Hamilton said. If Hamilton is disqualified, the gold medal would go to Russia's Viatcheslav Ekimov, with American Bobby Julich moving up to silver and Australia's Michael Rogers to the bronze.
Hamilton pulled out midway through the 2004 Tour de France because of a back injury and was fourth in the 2003 Tour. Hamilton pulled out of the Vuelta on Sept. 16, citing stomach problems.
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