Lance Armstrong was allowed to violate anti-doping rules

The International Cyclists Union (ICU) allowed American Lance Armstrong to take part in the race Tour Down Under, which will be held in Australia from 20 to 25 January 2009. It is reported AP. In so doing, allowed Armstrong disrupt anti-doping rules, under which athlete had the right to speak only on 1 February 2009.

Under the rules ICU, racing cyclist, who announced the completion of a career, can return to the sport, but six months before his first race he must file a notice in the anti-doping authorities. Armstrong sent a notice to U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) 1 Aug, 2008.

According to the ICU, for four years that have passed since the adoption of rules, methods of testing athletes for doping greatly improved, and there is no need to observe a period of six months.

Also Union cyclists took into account that Armstrong intends to pass strict doping control, which will be independent expert Don Kathleen.

Armstrong announced his return to cycling in September 2008. American does not spoken since 2005, when he decided to conclude his career after the seventh consecutive victory velomnogodnevke "Tour de France.