As reported last week, Roadcycling.com diarist Tyler Hamilton had tested positive at both the Athens Olympic Games and also the Vuelta a Espa?a. <?xml:namespace prefix = o /?>

Over the following days, it was announced by the IOC (international Olympic Committee) that the B sample taken in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /?>
Athens was considered, "non-conclusive because of lack of enough intact red blood cells." Reports suggest that this was the result of the sample being mistakenly frozen.  The result of this is that
Hamilton will keep his Olympic gold medal.  His B-sample from La Vuelta did return a positive result however, which means that the Team Phonak star can likely expect disciplinary action from the UCI/USADA.

The IOC explained in a statement that, "On 22 August, the IOC was informed by the WADA accredited laboratory in Athens of a suspicious result following the analysis of Tyler Hamilton's blood sample provided on 19 August after the time-trial race that took place on 18 August in which he won the gold medal. At the request of the IOC, a group of experts examined the file and concluded on 16 September that Tyler Hamilton's A blood sample gave rise to an adverse analytical finding.  On the basis of this conclusion, the IOC decided on 16 September to launch a disciplinary procedure to be handled by Juridical Commission Chairman Thomas Bach, and Executive Board Members Denis Oswald and Sergey Bubka, and to immediately notify the National Olympic Committee and the athlete.  On 22 September, the laboratory analysis of the B sample was 'considered as non conclusive because of lack of enough intact red blood cells.  On 23 September, the IOC informed Tyler Hamilton that, although the A sample gave rise to an adverse analytical finding on 19 August in
Athens, the disciplinary procedure has had to be stopped because of the non-conclusive result of the B sample analysis. The IOC also informed him that therefore the Disciplinary Commission was being dissolved and that the IOC would not be pursuing sanctions regarding this matter.  The fact that the analysis of the B sample was not conclusive does not challenge the accuracy of the analysis of the A sample; the method used during the Olympic Games in
Athens was authorized by the World Anti-Doping Agency after validation by the international scientific community in accordance with an established set of criteria."

In the on-going, high-profile case in
Italy against Dr Michelle Ferrari, the prosecution has requested a prison sentence should Ferrari be found guilty of receiving and supplying doping products in
Bologna. According to ANSA, public prosecutor Lorenzo Gestri has asked for a 14-month sentence, a 900 euro (US$1,100) fine and a one-year ban from medical activity.

Fassa Bartolo rider, Tom Danielson, has confirmed his transfer from Giancarlo Ferretti?s outfit to the new Discovery Channel Team.  "I've signed the letter of intent to ride for two years with Discovery, which is basically the same as signing the new contract.   I'm out of my existing contract with Fassa - we came to an agreement and that's how it is. I don't have any hard feelings against