A high-profile feature story on Lance Armstrong in the January 24 issue of Sports Illustrated has led to NPR and CNN interviews for its writers, Selena Roberts and David Epstein.  Unfortunately, both their story and their interviews contain innuendo and mischaracterize key elements, including perhaps most notably, urine tests performed by Don Catlin, M.D., back in the mid-1990s.

Dr. Catlin, a widely respected pioneer in the field of anti-doping in sport, wishes to set the record straight.  In the detailed statement that follows, he demonstrates his respect for the truth as he knows it as well as his commitment to transparency.

As he states, he was not aware that the A samples allegedly testing high for testosterone in 1993, 1994 and 1996 were Lance Armstrong’s, if, in fact, that is the case.  We have seen no evidence to suggest that it is.

Sports drug-testing laboratories are required to use codes, not names, for samples to protect all parties and the sanctity of the process.  Dr. Catlin and his team followed those rules during his tenure as director of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Lab.

Further, during the years in question, Dr. Catlin and the world at large did not even know who Lance Armstrong was.  Mr. Armstrong had not yet established himself as a champion cyclist and Tour de France winner.

We find that the elements of Ms. Roberts and Mr. Epstein’s story that involve Dr. Catlin lack credibility.  The reporters have delivered a story that misrepresents the truth.

We welcome further questions and thank you for your interest.