Tyler Hamilton’s career over after accepting 8-year ban for second doping violation

Admitted doper Hamilton accepts 8-year doping ban

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Olympic champion Tyler Hamilton has received an eight-year ban from cycling, all but ending his drug-tainted career after he admitted to taking a steroid.

The penalty handed down by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday came two months after Hamilton acknowledged taking an herbal product to combat depression, knowing it included a steroid.

This was Hamilton’s second anti-doping violation. At age 38, an eight-year ban for Hamilton is effectively a lifetime ban, said Travis Tygart, the CEO of USADA.

It brings to an end a career that included a win at the 2004 Olympics that was overshadowed by a blood doping scandal. He tested positive later that year, then served a two-year suspension before returning to racing early in 2007.