Lance Armstrong is looking at yet another legal issue stemming from his admission to doping, reports ABC News’ Neal Karlinsky.
Lance Armstrong being investigated for criminal charges related to doping, per reports
Possible criminal charges in Spain represent only the latest headache for Armstrong, as the fallout from admitting to doping continues to settle.
Mario Tama
The Spanish government is said to be looking into possible criminal charges against the cyclist. Criminal charges would be new for Armstrong, who currently faces lawsuits from the US government as well as sponsors and companies involved in his long career.
Armstrong’s involvement in Spanish cycling has been limited. He traditionally avoided Spain’s major cycling race, the Vuelta a España, focusing his attention on the Tour de France. He did ride the race in 1998, well within the range of time covered by both Armstrong’s own admission and the USADA report detailing the doping program of Armstrong’s US Postal Service team. He also rode several smaller Spanish races in his second comeback period, from 2009 to 2011.
If Spanish history is any indication, any potential charges may not amount to much. Operación Puerto was a 2006 investigation into Doctor Eufemiano Fuentes that saw numerous cyclists named, including former Armstrong teammates Tyler Hamilton and Alberto Contador. Though there was substantial press and eventual criminal charges filed against cyclists, there were no convictions. While Armstrong has admitted to doping throughout his career, specific evidence linking him to doping within Spain is likely to be difficult for Spanish authorities to present.
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