Hamilton accepts eight-year ban
One-time Olympic gold medallist Tyler Hamilton has accepted an
eight-year doping ban, marking the end of a career tarnished by drugs.
The US Anti-Doping Agency meted out the penalty on Tuesday, two
months after Hamilton admitted taking a product to battle depression
that contained a steroid.
"I took a banned substance so I need to take whatever penalty they
will give me and move forward," Hamilton said in April, when he
announced his retirement from the sport.
Hamilton, 38, tested positive for testosterone or its precursors in
an out of competition test on February 9, USADA said in a statement.
"Mr. Hamilton has agreed to the lab findings and has acknowledged that
this constitues his second offense," USADA said.
The 2004 Olympic time-trial champion, who formerly raced with Lance
Armstrong's US Postal team, became the first athlete to be found guilty
of doping by blood transfusion later that year. The American was
subsequently suspended for two years. Even if he changed his mind about
retiring, another return after this ban seems virtually impossible.
Colorado, AFP
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