Fusin, Transylvania (AP) Researchers at Ampire Labs at Pith-on University, an affiliate of the World Anti-Duping Agency (WADA), have announced the presence of metabolites of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer commonly found in blood storage bags, in a urine sample from retired cycling champion Lance Armstrong.
“While DEHP metabolites are commonly found in the human body, the high levels we detected in this sample of Armstrong’s strongly suggest a blood transfusion,” explained Dr. Urasin A. Sling, the research team’s leader. Infusion of one’s own blood, which can provide performance enhancement by increasing the body’s red blood cells, is banned by the sport. David Howman, director general of WADA, has suggested that elevated DEHP levels could be used as evidence of doping.
Armstrong’s lawyer, Mack Fabricati, was quick to dismiss the results. “This is basically science fiction,” he insisted, “and shows just how desperate some people are to prove that Lance doped. Unfortunately for these haters, they are cornered in their own self-supported reality. WADA has not validated this procedure, and any statement attributed to Dr. Howman is nothing but a rumor.”
After questioning the credentials of the “pseudo-scientists” at Ampire, Fabricati added, “These substances could have come from anywhere. For example, DEHP is a known contaminant in food containers from Taiwan, and Armstrong has eaten at Chinese restaurants on numerous occasions. Also, it should be noted that Dr. Sling may be writing a book.” Fabricati referred reporters to his website smears4lance.org for further information.
The sample analyzed at Pith-on U was provided by Armstrong during the 2009 Tour de France. If Armstrong were to be found guilty of blood transfusing, he could be stripped of his third place finish in that race.
Spain’s Alberto Contador, who won that Tour in an often heated confrontation with Armstrong, his own teammate at the time, commented: “I think Lance is too big to fail, just as I am.”
Britain’s Bradley Wiggins, who finished fourth in that Tour, just seconds behind Armstrong, noted, “Lance Armstrong should be considered innocent until proven guilty, I mean, he should be considered negative unless he is positive, and even a positive is not really negative.”
An unidientified WADA official would not comment on the finding, except to say, “We are considering making DEHP a threshold substance. As soon as we find a level that will clear the riders we think need to be cleared, we will get back to you.”
“While DEHP metabolites are commonly found in the human body, the high levels we detected in this sample of Armstrong’s strongly suggest a blood transfusion,” explained Dr. Urasin A. Sling, the research team’s leader. Infusion of one’s own blood, which can provide performance enhancement by increasing the body’s red blood cells, is banned by the sport. David Howman, director general of WADA, has suggested that elevated DEHP levels could be used as evidence of doping.
Armstrong’s lawyer, Mack Fabricati, was quick to dismiss the results. “This is basically science fiction,” he insisted, “and shows just how desperate some people are to prove that Lance doped. Unfortunately for these haters, they are cornered in their own self-supported reality. WADA has not validated this procedure, and any statement attributed to Dr. Howman is nothing but a rumor.”
After questioning the credentials of the “pseudo-scientists” at Ampire, Fabricati added, “These substances could have come from anywhere. For example, DEHP is a known contaminant in food containers from Taiwan, and Armstrong has eaten at Chinese restaurants on numerous occasions. Also, it should be noted that Dr. Sling may be writing a book.” Fabricati referred reporters to his website smears4lance.org for further information.
The sample analyzed at Pith-on U was provided by Armstrong during the 2009 Tour de France. If Armstrong were to be found guilty of blood transfusing, he could be stripped of his third place finish in that race.
Spain’s Alberto Contador, who won that Tour in an often heated confrontation with Armstrong, his own teammate at the time, commented: “I think Lance is too big to fail, just as I am.”
Britain’s Bradley Wiggins, who finished fourth in that Tour, just seconds behind Armstrong, noted, “Lance Armstrong should be considered innocent until proven guilty, I mean, he should be considered negative unless he is positive, and even a positive is not really negative.”
An unidientified WADA official would not comment on the finding, except to say, “We are considering making DEHP a threshold substance. As soon as we find a level that will clear the riders we think need to be cleared, we will get back to you.”
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