Landis doping decision delayed
Tour de France winner Floyd Landis may still race in that country again someday, but the scandal has been a drain on his finances — and other cyclists looking for sponsors.
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MARK AUSTIN THOMAS: A French anti-doping agency today postponed a disciplinary hearing into Tour de France winner Floyd Landis. It made the decision after Landis said he would not participate in any race in France until the end of 2007. The agency could have banned him from racing in France. Marketplace’s Amy Scott says the scandal is taking a toll on Landis’ finances and on cycling in general.
AMY SCOTT: After Floyd Landis’ stunning victory in last summer’s Tour de France, a French lab detected elevated testosterone levels in his urine.
He lost millions of dollars in endorsements, and he won’t be quick to gain it back, says Cheri Bradish. She teaches sports marketing at Brock University outside Toronto.
Cycling has been tainted by several doping scandals over the years. Bradish says the whole sport has sponsors a bit skittish.
CHERI BRADISH: Even if he is cleared, I still think, unfortunately, corporations still are not gonna run to cycling as something they want to be a part of.
A spokesman says Floyd Landis has spent $400,000 so far fighting to clear his name. He aims to raise about a million and a half more.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency will hear his appeal sometime this spring.
In New York, I’m Amy Scott for Marketplace.