Sending a message
Swiss federation gives cyclists eight-month bans, fines
Posted: Thursday October 01, 1998 12:42 PM
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Alex Zuelle was handed a fine by the Swiss Cycling Federation Graham Chadwick/Allsport |
ROTHRIST, Switzerland (AP) -- The Swiss Cycling Federation has handed down eight month bans to three cyclists expelled from the scandal-rocked Tour de France for using an illegal performance-enhancing drug, the body announced Wednesday.
The federation's special anti-doping commission also fined riders Alex Zuelle, Laurent Dufaux and Armin Meier 3,000 Swiss francs (US$2,164) each.
The bans on the cyclists will take effect immediately, the commission said. The punishments were not the lowest, nor the highest, that could have been imposed. According to UCI rules, cyclists who confess or test positive for drugtaking can be banned for between six months and a year and face fines of between 2-4,000 francs.
Commission president Remo Von Daniken said the commission had chosen a punishment above the minimum to "send a signal."
"The judgement must be seen as a new start in this sorry doping story," said Von Daniken.
The three cyclists left the hotel in the northeastern town of Rothrist where the commission made its judgement without knowing the results or offering comment.
"I've no more to say on this matter," Armin Meier said later.
The three cyclists were members of the Festina team thrown out of this year's Tour de France.
Festina was expelled because its riders were said to have taken the hormone EPO. Zuelle, Dufaux and Meier were among those who later admitted taking the drug.
The federation's sentences must still be approved by cycling's world governing body, the International Cycling Union (UCI).
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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