Joe Papp testified on behalf of USADA at the Floyd Landis hearings a week ago. Papp had been busted for doping, and signed off on his suspension the day before he testified, but the sanction hadn’t been announced until just now. Here’s the text of USADA’s press release:
COLORADO SPRINGS (May 25, 2007)
The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced today that Joseph Papp of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, an athlete in the sport of cycling, has received a two-year period of ineligibility after his sample provided May 7, 2006 at the International 42nd Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey was reported positive for metabolites of testosterone or its precursors (6α-OH-androstenedione and 6β-OH-androsterone).
6α-OH-androstenedione and 6β-OH-androsterone are prohibited substances in the class of anabolic agents under the rules of the Union Cycliste International (UCI) and USADA, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code. Papp, 32, also admitted to additional incidents of using other doping products. His positive test and admitted use of other doping substances are all considered one violation under the WADA Code and sanctionable with a two-year maximum suspension.
Papp’s two-year period of ineligibility begins on July 31, 2006, the day he began serving a provisional suspension. Papp is disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to July 1, 2001. Papp’s case was proceeding to arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (AAA)/Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) until he accepted the sanction on May 17, 2007. USA Cycling, the national governing body for the sport in the United States, will carry out the sanction.
USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
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As TBV noted, it looks like they’ve lumped all of what he’s done in the past into one first-time suspension, rather than ban him for life. But, no word on whether that includes trafficking, or if he’s still in jeopardy for that.
With all the people rushing to fall on thier own sword and admit to drug use in their past, I have the sick feeling of watching a car crash in slow motion. The number of people who are being chewed up in this system on all sides is heart breaking. From the back of the echelon Joe Papp caliber riders all the way to the Tour winning (?) Bjarne Riis, no one seems to be immune from the pressure. But in the rush to cleanse their souls, we must avoid at all cost a puritanical attitude of conviction at all cost. The innocent must be as rigorously protected as the violators are prosecuted. Any conviction that comes in a system that convicts an innocent rider is just as empty as the victory theyellow jersey for the 1996 Tour represents.
Hi Rant,
This is off topic but was hoping you could help me. Do you remember what Riis has said about Basso since the TDF last year & where (including which pub dates) I could find those articles? I’ve tried cyclingnews & Velonews & I just don’t have the time to look at every article written since 6/30/06 & their “Search” is pathetic.
I could have swore Riis said something like he was “betrayed”, something along those lines. During the Tour he was fairly supportive but got more & more critical as the months went on & especially when Basso left CSC & then when Discovery hired him. Due to his recent confession, I am anxious to reread it.
BTW, I have’nt had the time to read ALL your posts on the Hearing yet, but I will! I couldn’t even keep up with everything on TBV. I’ve actually printed out all of yours & plan to read over the weekend. From the posts I was able to skim so far, you did a great job as always. Even IF you couldn’t get into the Live Feed! 🙂
Do you think all these other ‘Rider Confessions’ will impact Floyd’s situation at all? Not the Hearing’s verdict, but possibly how he is treated by the UCI, etc?
Pedalista,
I agree, the system must rigorously protect the innocent while prosecuting and punishing the guilty. Convicting an innocent athlete is a hollow victory, indeed.
Susie B,
I haven’t found the references just yet, but I believe that Riis’ comment about Basso was something about feeling betrayed. The same way his fans must feel right now, I would guess. But I also believe that a person can learn from the past, and have a feeling that Riis’ falls into the category of those who do, and whose actions more recently reflect the wisdom of his experience. I hope that he is able to continue on with the good work he’s done for Team CSC, and to redeem himself in the eyes of cycling fans.
– Rant