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A French newspaper claimed Friday that Lance Armstrong admitted to doping three years before the first of his seven Tour de France wins in 1999.
Armstrong's attorney strongly denied the claim and gave The Associated Press a copy of an affidavit from one of the lead doctors who treated Armstrong's testicular cancer.
The Texan, retired from cycling since his seventh consecutive Tour victory last year, has consistently insisted that he never took banned drugs to enhance his performances and he was never sanctioned for any doping offense during his career.
But Le Monde said former Armstrong teammate Frankie Andreu, and his wife, Betsy, recently testified under oath to a Dallas court that Armstrong admitted in 1996 to having taken the blood-boosting hormone EPO and other banned substances. The paper said Frankie Andreu used to be best friends with Armstrong.
Le Monde claimed that Armstrong's alleged admission was made Oct. 28, 1996, to a doctor who was treating him for cancer. Betsy Andreu testified that the doctor asked Armstrong whether he had ever taken doping products, and that the cyclist replied "yes," according to Le Monde. The newspaper said she and her husband were with Armstrong on that day.
"He asks which ones. And Lance replies, 'EPO, growth hormones, cortisone, steroids, testosterone,'" it quoted her as telling the court in January. The newspaper said it obtained a copy of her testimony but did not say how.
Armstrong's attorney, Tim Herman, Texas denied the Andreus' claim, calling it "absurd."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060623/ap_on_sp_ot/cyc_armstrong_doping;_ylt=Au6QPvkVRLAIidECQJeZn6Os0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3cm82NXAwBHNlYwM3NTU-
Armstrong's attorney strongly denied the claim and gave The Associated Press a copy of an affidavit from one of the lead doctors who treated Armstrong's testicular cancer.
The Texan, retired from cycling since his seventh consecutive Tour victory last year, has consistently insisted that he never took banned drugs to enhance his performances and he was never sanctioned for any doping offense during his career.
But Le Monde said former Armstrong teammate Frankie Andreu, and his wife, Betsy, recently testified under oath to a Dallas court that Armstrong admitted in 1996 to having taken the blood-boosting hormone EPO and other banned substances. The paper said Frankie Andreu used to be best friends with Armstrong.
Le Monde claimed that Armstrong's alleged admission was made Oct. 28, 1996, to a doctor who was treating him for cancer. Betsy Andreu testified that the doctor asked Armstrong whether he had ever taken doping products, and that the cyclist replied "yes," according to Le Monde. The newspaper said she and her husband were with Armstrong on that day.
"He asks which ones. And Lance replies, 'EPO, growth hormones, cortisone, steroids, testosterone,'" it quoted her as telling the court in January. The newspaper said it obtained a copy of her testimony but did not say how.
Armstrong's attorney, Tim Herman, Texas denied the Andreus' claim, calling it "absurd."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060623/ap_on_sp_ot/cyc_armstrong_doping;_ylt=Au6QPvkVRLAIidECQJeZn6Os0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3cm82NXAwBHNlYwM3NTU-
