Cycling doctor gets jail term, evidence to be destroyed

MADRID - Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, the central figure in the Operation Puerto cycling doping probe, was given a one-year prison sentence for crimes against public health on Tuesday. Fuentes was also barred from practicing sports medicine for four years and received a fine. Judge Julia Santamaria ruled that evidence from the case, including blood samples, would not be released to national and international anti-doping authorities for probes into cases outside cycling. Co-defendant Ignacio Labarta received a four-month jail term and was also barred from practice for four years, while Manolo Saiz, Vicente Belda and Fuentes's sister Yolanda were all cleared. As Spain's current anti-doping legislation was not in force in 2006 when police seized anabolic steroids, transfusion equipment and blood bags in raids, the five were tried only for violating public health regulations. The public prosecutor had asked for jail sentences of two years. The Puerto case attracted international attention because some of Fuentes's clients were successful professional riders, including American Tyler Hamilton who gave evidence in February. Fuentes, who denied doping, said in his opening testimony he also had clients in sports including soccer, tennis, athletics and boxing. The decision not to release the evidence, and for it to be destroyed when the case is closed after any potential appeals, was a blow to other bodies represented during the trial. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Cycling Union (UCI), the Spanish Cycling Federation and the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) had all been keen to search for evidence of wrongdoing by athletes in other sports. Spain was hoping the trial would help to dispel the impression that the nation was soft on doping and boost Madrid's bid to win the right to host the 2020 Olympic Games. The country is pushing through parliament anti-doping legislation which the government says will bring Spain into line with international norms. — Reuters