graymatter
07-29-2006, 04:28 AM
Landis Says He'll Prove His Innocence
By PAUL HAVEN, Associated Press Writer
MADRID, Spain - Sounding more defiant than the day before, eyes flashing and voice steady, Floyd Landis looked into the cameras Friday and said he would prove he "deserved to win" the Tour de France. In his first public appearance since a urine test showing a testosterone imbalance cast his title into doubt, the American said his body's natural metabolism _ not doping of any kind _ caused the result, and that he would soon have the test results to prove it.
"We will explain to the world why this is not a doping case but a natural occurrence," Landis said from the Spanish capital.
The day before, in a teleconference from a location in Europe he did not disclose, Landis said he didn't cheat, but had no idea what might have caused the result on the Tour's 17th stage, where he staked his stirring comeback in the Alps.
During that Thursday call, Landis sounded downcast and heartbroken, saying he expected to clear his name but never his reputation. His demeanor was decidedly more fiery Friday, when he sat before a buzzing news conference and lashed out at the media for characterizing his plight as a drug scandal.
"I would like to make absolutely clear that I am not in any doping process," said Landis, wearing a baseball cap turned backward and a white shirt with the name of his Phonak team.
At least he's not "categorically denying" it...
By PAUL HAVEN, Associated Press Writer
MADRID, Spain - Sounding more defiant than the day before, eyes flashing and voice steady, Floyd Landis looked into the cameras Friday and said he would prove he "deserved to win" the Tour de France. In his first public appearance since a urine test showing a testosterone imbalance cast his title into doubt, the American said his body's natural metabolism _ not doping of any kind _ caused the result, and that he would soon have the test results to prove it.
"We will explain to the world why this is not a doping case but a natural occurrence," Landis said from the Spanish capital.
The day before, in a teleconference from a location in Europe he did not disclose, Landis said he didn't cheat, but had no idea what might have caused the result on the Tour's 17th stage, where he staked his stirring comeback in the Alps.
During that Thursday call, Landis sounded downcast and heartbroken, saying he expected to clear his name but never his reputation. His demeanor was decidedly more fiery Friday, when he sat before a buzzing news conference and lashed out at the media for characterizing his plight as a drug scandal.
"I would like to make absolutely clear that I am not in any doping process," said Landis, wearing a baseball cap turned backward and a white shirt with the name of his Phonak team.
At least he's not "categorically denying" it...