Filippo Pozzato could miss London Olympics if suspension OK’d
Italy's anti-doping prosecutor recommends one-year ban for the Farnese Vini rider
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ROME (AFP) — Filippo Pozzato could miss this summer’s London Olympics after Italy’s anti-doping prosecutor recommended he serve a one-year ban for suspected doping offenses, the Italian Olympic committee (CONI) announced Thursday.
Under CONI rules, any athlete charged with a doping offense cannot compete at the Olympics until cleared of wrongdoing.
With a tribunal unlikely to make a decision before the Games start on July 27, Pozzato appears destined to miss out on the showcase event.
The former Milan-San Remo winner was summoned to appear in court on June 19 to explain allegations made against him relating to his ties with Dr. Michele Ferrari by the daily La Republica.
The Italian federation has for several years forbidden any of its members from having contact with the controversial Ferrari, who is the subject of a Padova-based inquiry.
A fortnight ago, Ferrari also had charges brought against him by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) along with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and four other people.
Pozzato pulled out of the Giro d’Italia last month after breaking his right wrist on the 10th stage.
His Farnese Vini team will not compete in the upcoming Tour de France.
