PARIS — The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Friday said it would not appeal against a decision to strip US cyclist Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France victories and ban him from the sport for life for doping. The organization said it would “not exercise its independent right of appeal" after considering the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) dossier that placed the Texan rider at the heart of what it said was the biggest doping program ever in sport. WADA said it had made a “full and careful review" of the case, including whether the US body had ignored a statutory time limit on bringing cases alleging doping code violations. It said based on an independent assessment “that opinion is clear and confirms that the interpretation given by USADA is proper and supported by case law", the organization said. UCI heads face probe Former cyclist turned journalist Paul Kimmage has started criminal proceedings against International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid and honorary president Hein Verbruggen. The move, announced by Kimmage on Twitter late Thursday, counters the defamation case the two cycling officials are themselves taking against Kimmage who has been a constant critic of the UCI's response to doping in cycling. Writing on Twitter Kimmage explained: “I have lodged a criminal complaint against Hein Verbruggen and Pat McQuaid. I have initiated these proceedings not for myself - this is not about Paul Kimmage, but on behalf of the whistle blowers - Stephen Swart, Frankie Andreu, Floyd Landis, Christophe Bassons, Nicolas Aubier, Gilles Delion, Graeme Obree and every other cyclist who stood up for truth and the sport they loved and were dismissed as “cowards" and “scumbags" by Verbruggen and McQuaid." — Agencies
