Lance to 60 Minutes: Say Sorry for Sloppy Reporting

Armstrong's defense asks for on-air apology for dope story
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 1, 2011 11:56 AM CDT
Armstrong's Lawyers: 60 Minutes Is Sloppy Journalism
In this Feb. 19, 2009 file photo, George Hincapie, left, rides next to Lance Armstrong during the fifth stage of the Tour of California cycling race near Hanford, Calif.   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

Steadfast in his innocence, Lance Armstrong’s attorneys are demanding an on-air apology from 60 Minutes after the head of Switzerland's anti-doping laboratory denied allegations that the cyclist tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs at the 2001 Tour de Suisse. Armstrong’s lawyer said the May 22 segment was built on a series of falsehoods, and accused the CBS show of sloppy journalism, in a letter sent today to the executive producer for 60 Minutes. "In the cold light of morning your story was either extraordinarily shoddy, to the point of being reckless and unprofessional, or a vicious hit-and-run job," the lawyer wrote. "In either case, a categorical on-air apology is required."

Former teammate Tyler Hamilton alleged in the piece that Armstrong talked about using the banned blood-booster EPO to prepare for his third Tour de France in 2001 and the International Cycling Union helped him hide a positive test at the Swiss race. But the head of Switzerland's anti-doping laboratory denied allegations Armstrong tested positive for performing-enhancing drugs during the 2001 Tour de Suisse. He did say, however, that his lab found suspicious levels of EPO in four urine samples from the race Armstrong won, but he didn't know if any belonged to the seven-time Tour de France winner. (More Lance Armstrong stories.)

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