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Yes, Mr. Armstrong's ban is "lifetime," but his ban was levied according to the 2009 version of the WADA Code that included rule 10.10.1 that reads, in part, "An Athlete or other Person subject to a period of Ineligibility longer than four (4) years may, after completing four (4) years of the period of Ineligibility, participate in local sport events in a sport other than the sport in which the Athlete or other Person committed the anti-doping rule violation, but only so long as the local sport event is not at a level that could otherwise qualify such Athlete or other Person directly or indirectly to compete in (or accumulate points toward) a national championship or International Event."
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Mr. Armstrong's "primary" sport is cycling, not triathlon. According to USADA's longtime spokesman Annie Skinner, "In Mr. Armstrong's case, this means he will have limited ability to participate in local sporting events, including triathlon."
What constitutes an "international event?" Ms. Skinner defined it this way: "Mr. Armstrong may not participate in an event that has the potential to qualify him to compete in (or accumulate points toward) a national championship, a world championship or an international event other than a world championship. In terms of what qualifies as an international event, this depends upon the specific sports rules. However, in general, events licensed, sanction or authorized by an international federation, including world championships, world cups and other such events qualify."
Asked about Ironman racing, she replied, "If you are interested in the WTC's International Event status, you will probably want to contact them directly to discuss WTC rules."
There's a gulf between "local" and "national or international" when one contemplates which bucket various races sit inside. Where does Escape to Alcatraz sit? Challenge Barcelona? Further, did the writers of this rule contemplate amateur or "age group" competition?
Certainly Ironman's races can all be considered out-of-bounds because they all afford pathways to Ironman's two World Championships, and as of today this is the stand Ironman is taking. Per its CEO Andrew Messick, "Our events are all international." In essence, while "all politics are local" no Ironman is. The ban on races Ironman produces or licenses will survive the August 24, 2016 date.
What constitutes an "international event?" Ms. Skinner defined it this way: "Mr. Armstrong may not participate in an event that has the potential to qualify him to compete in (or accumulate points toward) a national championship, a world championship or an international event other than a world championship. In terms of what qualifies as an international event, this depends upon the specific sports rules. However, in general, events licensed, sanction or authorized by an international federation, including world championships, world cups and other such events qualify."
Asked about Ironman racing, she replied, "If you are interested in the WTC's International Event status, you will probably want to contact them directly to discuss WTC rules."
There's a gulf between "local" and "national or international" when one contemplates which bucket various races sit inside. Where does Escape to Alcatraz sit? Challenge Barcelona? Further, did the writers of this rule contemplate amateur or "age group" competition?
Certainly Ironman's races can all be considered out-of-bounds because they all afford pathways to Ironman's two World Championships, and as of today this is the stand Ironman is taking. Per its CEO Andrew Messick, "Our events are all international." In essence, while "all politics are local" no Ironman is. The ban on races Ironman produces or licenses will survive the August 24, 2016 date.
