WADA appeals sanctions against Bruyneel, 2 others

MONTREAL (AP) — The World Anti-Doping Agency is seeking tougher sanctions against Lance Armstrong’s longtime coach, Johan Bruyneel, and two medical staff.

Bruyneel was handed a 10-year ban in April, while team doctor Pedro Celaya and trainer Jose “Pepe” Marti were each suspended for eight years for their involvement in a doping conspiracy.

Those sanctions were announced by an American Arbitration Association panel.

WADA says Monday it has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to request “longer sanctions for all three individuals involved in order to best protect athletes, and ensure a clean sport of cycling.”

WADA says it has the support of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and cycling governing body UCI.

USADA said in April that Bruyneel “was at the apex of a conspiracy to commit widespread doping on the (U.S. Postal Service) and Discovery Channel teams spanning many years and many riders.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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