Rio: Cyclist Armitstead Wins Appeal against Doping Violations

LONDON (AP) — British cyclist Lizzie Armitstead has won an appeal against an anti-doping violation and is free to compete at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Armitstead, one of the favorites for the women's road race, missed three doping tests in a 12-month period, leading to a charge by U.K. Anti-Doping and a provisional suspension.

She appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and a statement released on Armitstead's behalf on Monday said the first missed test — from August 2015 — was declared void by CAS because UKAD's doping control officer had failed to follow procedure.

On Tuesday, UKAD confirmed the ruling by CAS and chief executive Nicole Sapstead said "we respect the outcome" of the hearing.

The 27-year-old Armitstead is the current world champion in the road race.

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