LANCE ARMSTRONG’S LAWYERS have re-submitted a lawsuit as they look to stop the US Anti-Doping Agency from going ahead with drugs charges.
The retired seven-time Tour de France champion is alleged to have been part of a major doping conspiracy and if found guilty, he could be stripped of his seven victories and banned from cycling for life.
But Armstrong wants a temporary injunction against USADA in a bid to prevent the agency from proceeding with charges. His lawyers filed an 80-page lawsuit on Monday, which was quickly rejected by US District Judge Sam Sparks after seven hours for being “lengthy and bitter polemic.”
However, the judge handed Armstrong’s lawyers a 20-day extension to submit a revised complaint. And the lawsuit was re-filed at 25 pages long at the US District Court in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday.
The modified version argues the International Cycling Union (UCI) should move forward with such cases as USADA lacks jurisdiction and USADA’s system of judging appeals by athletes is a violation of the US Constitution.
Armstrong, who is seeking damages from USADA, and his lawyers have asked the Court to rule by Saturday. The latest move came hours after USADA handed life bans to three of Armstrong’s former associates.
Michele Ferrari, Armstrong’s former personal trainer, former US Postal team doctor Luis Garcia del Moral and coach ‘Pepe’ Marti were banned from the sport for life.
“Permanently banning these individuals from sport is a powerful statement that protects the current and next generation of athletes from their influence, and preserves the integrity of future competition.” USADA chief executive officer Travis T. Tygart said.
