ESPN Needs to Correct Their Headlines Regarding Floyd Landis Immediately

For the past 12 hours, ESPN has reported the allegations from Tour de France officials regarding Floyd Landis' testosterone levels during stage 17 of the Tour (The stage of his dramatic comeback). ESPN reported that Landis' "A" sample tested positive for abnormally high levels of testosterone when in fact it has been made quite clear by many that his "A" sample was shown to have abnormally low levels of testosterone. ESPN has even had Tour officials and other scientists on air whom have stated this fact, yet ESPN has failed to correct themselves.

Because of the blatant use of this misinformation, Floyd Landis' career has been cracked and obscured because of the continuing American medias fallacy. Nevermind that it has NEVER been absolutely proven that testosterone increases performance and nevermind that his "abnormally high levels of testosterone" reported by the American media was only slightly over 1200 ng. / dl. Certainly these levels would make one suspicious, but disastrous levels over 1200 ng. / dl. have been reported for decades in cycling. It is not that abnormal. But, since Landis' test showed LOW levels of testosterone, one might wonder as to how this could effect performance.

In simple words, it wouldn't and there are plenty of reasons for his "A" sample to test the way it did.

A.) Landis had an exemption from Tour officials to take cortisone shots for his degenerative hip.
Now, as everyone should know, the largest amounts of testosterone is produced by the testes (Leydig cells) in men, and also produced in synthesized form by the adrenal cortex. Synthetic cortisone, which could be delivered by simple substances such as rash cream, etc essentially decreases the output of protein-based hormones, such as testosterone.

B.) Landis was also taking oral medicine for his hyperthyroidism...I am not sure what medication he was taking, but iot is certainly possible that those could have effected his blood sample.

C.) Landis and his teammates all consumed alcohol the night before (Whisky). It again has been proven that alcohol decreases one's testosterone levels.

In essence, what American reporters have been trying to say is that his ratio from testosterone to epitestosterone was high. Normally, the ratio for a normal individual is 1:1, but 4:1 is the new limit before investigations are to begin. Reports are that Landis tested at a 5:1 ratio, which would have been "normal" one year ago.

If Landis had been a user of synthetic testosterone, earlier urine tests would have also been affected. "One-time" use which has been suggested by many, would cause an abnormal result, but it would have no effect on performance whatsoever.

In all, these reports by the American media are completely erroneous and should be ignored until the "B" sample has been fully tested and analyzed by United States Doping Committee. The tests performed were done in a French laboratory and there have been growing frustrations about the American dominance in the Tour. Landis may indeed be guilty, but one must remember that Lance Armstrong tested positive in the 1999 Tour for the exact same thing. Only, Armstrong was sly enough to present a doctor's note for saddle sore cream (which contains slightly levels of cortisone) immediately prior to his blood test. In my mind, Landis is not guilty simply because the facts do not match up. Unfortunately, this stigma will never go away.

Stay Classy