Committee tells conference organiser to drop drug cheat Floyd Landis

[Spare Tyre]

There is also a "contact us" button on the website of the organisers:

http://www.melbourne2010.com.au/default.aspx

which takes you to this email address: melbourne2010@cycling.org.au

 

[theswordsman]

thanks Swordsman, hope did not rip off your post 45 minutes later

No worries - thanks for coming up with the idea and making this happen

 

[craig1985]

Reading the article, it looks the work of omerta that want the Worlds organisers that are withdrawing their support of this conference.

 

[theswordsman]

The international press is still running with the anti-Floyd controversy story, but he's in.

Next question, will the UCI still spend a week on campus?

And on a slightly off topic note, the WADA Independent Observer report on the UCI at the Tour de France is due very soon (they told someone fifteen days ago on twitter that it would be out in 10 to 15). It would be great if that comes out before the panel discussion about the Biological Passport.

And what would the reaction be if LA announced he would attend Worlds?

 

[la.margna]

what a joke. a conference that drops a whistleblower and convicted doper who gave up amost everything and lost most "friends" by telling the unconvenient truth. maybe they might invite the "most tested athlete" as replacement?

ridicolous.

 

[thehog]

Best part of this is the conference has now received more media attention than it ever would have it the worlds organisers didn't hrow their toys out of the pram.

 

[Spare Tyre]

what a joke. a conference that drops a whistleblower and convicted doper who gave up amost everything and lost most "friends" by telling the unconvenient truth. maybe they might invite the "most tested athlete" as replacement?

ridicolous.

The conference is still including Floyd Landis. They are under pressure to drop him, but are refusing to do so.

 

[hektoren]

The worlds' organisers should take a long and hard look in the mirror while they contemplate the worth of the inherent transparency and free speech that exists at academic conferences. (It's the only way forward, really). Conferences that aren't part of a judicial system, conferences where statements aren't legally binding, conferences where a contradictorial stance is de rigeur, conferences where fakes are relentlessly exposed as such. What are they afraid of?
In the long run, they only stand to loose, big time, from assuming the role of a custodian that doesn't want these awkward questions, as posed by Landis' testimony. These questions are already out there, and failing to address them properly will eventually have heads rolling. G'bye, Pat McDick!

 

[Mellow Velo]

If anything, it reaffirms the belief that many hold, that the establishment, bottom to top, is complicit in it's desire to uphold Omerta within professional sport.
The old boy network closes ranks and play hardball, in the defense of silence.

 

[hektoren]

If anything, it reaffirms the belief that many hold, that the establishment, bottom to top, is complicit in it's desire to uphold Omerta within professional sport.
The old boy network closes ranks and play hardball, in the defense of silence.

couldn't possibly agree more.

 

[fatandfast]

If anything, it reaffirms the belief that many hold, that the establishment, bottom to top, is complicit in it's desire to uphold Omerta within professional sport.
The old boy network closes ranks and play hardball, in the defense of silence.

Landis and Papp are scholars? The organizers probably realized that yes there may be some useful information gleaned by asked successful cheaters how they got around the system but the public association with convicted criminals is not a good foundation. This new cottage industry of cheaters explaining how the defeated the test is lame at best..Landis and Papp have been been out of the sport for so long that the techniques and technology are different than anything that they are able to explain. I hope the UCI would tell promoters that putting Landis's name in the press release for a major race of any kind in any capacity is in poor taste. But maybe Mike Vick can speak at some dog shows or Mike Tyson at a violence against women conference when after all like Landis they all said they are sorry for their actions. If Landis is so hell bent on helping the sport do a closed door interview..the press and cameras are the only hope of him not going bankrupt

 

[python]

The conference is still including Floyd Landis. They are under pressure to drop him, but are refusing to do so.

sorry to join in the initiative late..what is the worst possible consequence for the conference organizers - in practical terms- if they dont cave in ?

 

[hektoren]

Landis and Papp are scholars? The organizers probably realized that yes there may be some useful information gleaned by asked successful cheaters how they got around the system but the public association with convicted criminals is not a good foundation. This new cottage industry of cheaters explaining how the defeated the test is lame at best..Landis and Papp have been been out of the sport for so long that the techniques and technology are different than anything that they are able to explain. I hope the UCI would tell promoters that putting Landis's name in the press release for a major race of any kind in any capacity is in poor taste. But maybe Mike Vick can speak at some dog shows or Mike Tyson at a violence against women conference when after all like Landis they all said they are sorry for their actions. If Landis is so hell bent on helping the sport do a closed door interview..the press and cameras are the only hope of him not going bankrupt

Being inordinately dim, are we? Does the term "horse's mouth" mean anything to you?

 

[thingswelike]

I think this would have been different if they had said something like "We'd like the focus to be on the current situation and to highlight that doping is a current problem in the sport. Our fear was that Landis coming might put the media focus on past events and blah blah blah."

But to come out with “Providing Floyd Landis with a soapbox to deliver a tirade like he did on the eve of the Tour of California is not something the world championship organisers want," is pretty unbelievable!!

Edit: I think guy must have gone to the same management training as My McQuaid!

 

[thehog]

If anything, it reaffirms the belief that many hold, that the establishment, bottom to top, is complicit in it's desire to uphold Omerta within professional sport.
The old boy network closes ranks and play hardball, in the defense of silence.

I'm with you and agree but will make one point: I can understand that Floyd in Geelong at a doping conference will be reasonably big news. I would suspect the organisers want the worlds to be the primary focus along with the city itself and along with Victoria and Australia. So whilst I don’t think they’re trying uphold the omerta and protect Lance I think they’re trying to protect the worlds and the marketing thereof.

 

[Siriuscat]

Another email to a nice long list of recipients....hope it has some effect

 

[Spare Tyre]

sorry to join in the initiative late..what is the worst possible consequence for the conference organizers - in practical terms- if they dont cave in ?

I don't know. There is probably a lot of political pressure being applied, but I'm not aware of any concrete penalty (legal action, loss of funding) that could be applied.

As far as I am aware the university does not rely on the state government for funding. Blackcat advises that a former premier (who is still very powerful and connected) is a chairperson of a foundation that receives donations to the university. Perhaps this could be used as leverage.

 

[Spare Tyre]

I'm with you and agree but will make one point: I can understand that Floyd in Geelong at a doping conference will be reasonably big news. I would suspect the organisers want the worlds to be the primary focus along with the city itself and along with Victoria and Australia. So whilst I don’t think they’re trying uphold the omerta and protect Lance I think they’re trying to protect the worlds and the marketing thereof.

I think you are right that the organisers want the focus to be on Melbourne, Geelong and the racing, although there is nothing like a bit of controversy as publicity for an event.

Even if the organisers (the people involved) wanted to support Landis' appearance at the conference, the event they have organised is "owned" by the UCI. I think the major factor IS the omerta, the UCI's relationship with Landis and its general approach to the problem of doping.

 

[flicker]

I think you are right that the organisers want the focus to be on Melbourne, Geelong and the racing, although there is nothing like a bit of controversy as publicity for an event.

Even if the organisers (the people involved) wanted to support Landis' appearance at the conference, the event they have organised is "owned" by the UCI. I think the major factor IS the omerta, the UCI's relationship with Landis and its general approach to the problem of doping.

Floyd and Greg bring something special to every event they attend. Call it a pocketful of truth, or a pocketful of courtroom TV, Or snapping the elastic of Omerta what have you.

The refreshing style of their refreshing smiles, how they are finally living their dreams is scintilating.

I would rather see them bad-mouth cycling, oops come out of the closeting of cheatage than watch cycling competiton any day.

Go grand jury bring it on! Mission Accomplished.

 

[Anonymous]

Too bad that this is happening but if any believe that universities have anything to do with "academic freedom" you are dreaming.

I guess maybe if academic freedom means toeing the party line and engaging in massive group-think then, maybe.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Landis and Papp are scholars? The organizers probably realized that yes there may be some useful information gleaned by asked successful cheaters how they got around the system but the public association with convicted criminals is not a good foundation. This new cottage industry of cheaters explaining how the defeated the test is lame at best..Landis and Papp have been been out of the sport for so long that the techniques and technology are different than anything that they are able to explain. I hope the UCI would tell promoters that putting Landis's name in the press release for a major race of any kind in any capacity is in poor taste. But maybe Mike Vick can speak at some dog shows or Mike Tyson at a violence against women conference when after all like Landis they all said they are sorry for their actions. If Landis is so hell bent on helping the sport do a closed door interview..the press and cameras are the only hope of him not going bankrupt

Maybe you could put forward an alternative?
Someone who has more recently been involved in cheating the system. Ideally, someone who hasn't been caught, since they would seem to have all the necessary input for such a seminar.

If you can't, I would suggest that Landis is most qualified, having been through the full process and handily, is an English speaker.

Or perhaps you think a group of Trappist monks might make a better panel, for such a debate.

I honestly think it is the Lance apologists who seem more unable to separate the issue of doping, from their hero. I don't see finger pointing being on the conference's agenda.

 

[SpartacusRox]

Floyd and Greg bring something special to every event they attend. Call it a pocketful of truth, or a pocketful of courtroom TV, Or snapping the elastic of Omerta what have you.

The refreshing style of their refreshing smiles, how they are finally living their dreams is scintilating.

I would rather see them bad-mouth cycling, oops come out of the closeting of cheatage than watch cycling competiton any day.

Go grand jury bring it on! Mission Accomplished.

I agree, Floyd and Greg are....well they are just special.

Floyd said to me just the other day; "If I get any money out of this trial thing, I'm gonna buy me a brand new bike, a shiny red one! And i am gonna put my own stickers on the frame and call it a 'Landis' like my friend Greg did with his bike."

 

[hektoren]

I'm with you and agree but will make one point: I can understand that Floyd in Geelong at a doping conference will be reasonably big news. I would suspect the organisers want the worlds to be the primary focus along with the city itself and along with Victoria and Australia. So whilst I don’t think they’re trying uphold the omerta and protect Lance I think they’re trying to protect the worlds and the marketing thereof.

Well, a seven-time tour winner having doped throughout his career IS news, worlds or no worlds. Nothing the organizers can do, really. A bit like taking your perfect 10-girlfriend to a soccer match when a skanky Victoria Beckham is in attendance. Withdrawing their support from this conference is only going to spark the interest further, ensuring the focus will be on Landis.

 

[theswordsman]

OK, maybe people need to be brought up to speed a bit. First of all Floyd is there. Period. It was settled by the university hours ago.

In the original announcement, it said that the UCI will be visitors on the campus for a week. It doesn't say that the UCI has anything to do with the conference (other than the presence of Ashenden), and certainly isn't in charge of it.

From the conference website:

Presented by: The Alfred Deakin Research Institute and the Deakin University School of Law and the School of History, Heritage and Society.

In association with the International Network of Humanistic Doping Research (INHDR).

Websites and Resources

http://www.doping.au.dk/en
http://www.cyclingnews.com/
http://bikepure.org/
http://velocitynation.com/
http://www.wada-ama.org/

Note the absence of any mention of the UCI. And since they're discussing how to clean up cycling in the future, well, I'll let you come to your own conclusions.

The school has done research into pro cycling, and spoken to Australian cyclists, so a big part of this is to present the 173 page report (available now for download). They could have held the conference at any time, but decided to make it coincide with Worlds. I imagine some of the attendees would like to watch the races, rather than make that long flight for a two day visit.

The Worlds organizers are way out of line here. Telling a University who is allowed on their campus is flat out wrong. And if they hadn't tried to push the school around, there wouldn't be a whole lot of publicity around it. They aren't bright enough to realize that the reign of terror days of pro cycling are coming to an end.

 

[LastDamnation]

Maybe you could put forward an alternative?
Someone who has more recently been involved in cheating the system. Ideally, someone who hasn't been caught, since they would seem to have all the necessary input for such a seminar.

If you can't, I would suggest that Landis is most qualified, having been through the full process and handily, is an English speaker.

Or perhaps you think a group of Trappist monks might make a better panel, for such a debate.

I honestly think it is the Lance apologists who seem more unable to separate the issue of doping, from their hero. I don't see finger pointing being on the conference's agenda.

Bernard kohl?