British cyclist Lizzie Armitstead attempts to clear her name
Olympic silver medallist says she is hurt by doping accusations after missing tests
By Dave Skretta, The Associated Press
British cyclist Lizzie Armitstead insisted in a two-page statement Wednesday that she is a clean athlete and that three missed anti-doping tests in a 12-month period amounted to honest oversights.
She released the statement one day after U.K. Anti-Doping (UKAD) confirmed the world road race champion had successfully appealed her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Armitstead faced a provisional suspension and a two-year ban that could have kept her out of the Rio Games.
The reigning Olympic silver medallist will lead Great Britain's cycling squad in the women's road race on Sunday.
In my own words. <a href="https://t.co/D7ye4NE0IN">pic.twitter.com/D7ye4NE0IN</a>
—@L_ArmiTsteadThe 27-year-old cyclist outlined the circumstances for each missed test, though she only argued the first miss before a world cup race in Sweden last August should be thrown out. Armitstead said anti-doping officials had not followed proper procedure and CAS ultimately agreed.
Armitstead explained that she was at the hotel when anti-doping officials arrived, but her phone was on silent and hotel staff refused to give the tester her room number.
She was tested the following day and the result was negative.
Armitstead said she contested the missed test with a written explanation after learning of it, but the letter was not accepted before she travelled to the U.S. for last year's world championships.
"Put simply, I was available and willing to provide a sample for UKAD," she said.
'Fail-safe' needed?
Armitstead acknowledged fault in the other two missed tests. She called the October 2015 case a "filing failure" after anti-doping officials found an inconsistency in her overnight accommodations and her time slot during a routine spot check, and that her June 2016 missed test came after a last-minute change of plans following an unspecified family emergency.
If that "fail-safe" was in place, Armitstead's third missed test could have been avoided, she said.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has tried to make it easier for athletes to update their whereabouts in recent years. Along with updating their time slots and whereabouts on a website, by email and text message, they can also have agents or representatives submit information on their behalf.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the case was that Armitstead and British Cycling were able to keep it confidential until its resolution, especially with the Rio Olympics beginning in a matter of days.
"I had the right to a fair trial at CAS. It is clear sensational headlines have a detrimental effect to any legal case."
Now, she hopes to turn her attention fully toward competing in Rio.
"Integrity is something I strive for in every part of my life. I will hold my head high in Rio and do my best for Great Britain," Armitstead wrote. "I am sorry for causing anyone to lose faith in sport. I am an example of what hard work and dedication can achieve."