NOPe wrote:
According to the report, none of the athletes did anything illegal except Magness. People covered their tracks, Salazar included, but the truth is staring you right in the face if you have eyes to see.
Well, USADA thinks otherwise, and presented its evidence to the American Arbitration Association Panel, who voted 2 : 1 that the evidence was not sufficient for a conviction. So, your statement is quite optimistic, to say the least.
See for example page 61 of the AAA Salazar Decision:
[USADA contends:]
that on December 1, 2011, “three days after the infusion given to Magness, Dathan Ritzenhein was instructed to travel to Houston to receive the same infusion from Respondent that Steve Magness had received.”234 USADA contends that despite Respondent’s claim that the original plan was not to give Mr. Ritzenhein an infusion in excess of 50 mL, Dr. Brown told Mr. Ritzenhein that the infusion “takes about 4-5 hours,” the same amount of time as Mr. Magness’ over-the-limit infusion.235
(q) that Respondent’s December 3, 2011 request to USADA to ask for permission importantly does not identify the volume of the IV infusion that Mr. Magness received. USADA argues that “the emails of Respondent, Dr. Brown and Mr. Ritzenhein from December, 2011, are all consistent, pointing unequivocally to the conclusion that one liter Magness-type L-carnitine infusions were planned for other NOP athletes, i.e., the 4-5 ‘elite athletes’ for whom Respondent sought permission to give infusions (after all, Mr. Ritzenhein was instructed by Respondent to immediately get down to Houston for his infusion days before the inquiry to USADA was made).”236
(see also Rupp and Tara)
Later on page 72:
A majority of the Panel finds that USADA has not met its burden of proof with respect to the Attempted Administration charge as it relates to the NOP Athletes