GENEVA, July 16, 2009 (AFP) – The World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed against an eight-year doping suspension US authorities imposed on one-time Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton, demanding a lifetime ban instead.

The international Court of Arbitration of Sport said in a statement on Thursday that WADA was asking it set aside the decision by the US Anti-Doping Agency last month.

Hamilton was sanctioned for a second offense on June 11, two months after he admitted taking a product to battle depression that contained a steroid.

The US cyclist signed an “acceptance of sanction” form agreeing to the eight-year suspension.

“In its appeal to the CAS, WADA requests that the resolution signed on 11 June 2009 be set aside and that a lifetime period of ineligibility be imposed on Hamilton,” CAS said.

WADA’s anti-doping code sets a minimum eight-year penalty for a second “standard” offence, but it can range up to a lifetime ban.

If a second offence is regarded as aggravated, a lifetime ban is automatic.

The 38 year-old US cyclist tested positive for testosterone or its precursors in an out-of-competition test on February 9, some five years after he was recved a two year suspension on a doping offense.

The 2004 Olympic time-trial champion, who formerly raced with Lance Armstrong’s US Postal team, became the first athlete to be found guilty of doping by blood transfusion later that year.

USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said last month: “In the sport of cycling, eight years ineligibility for a 38-year-old athlete is effectively a lifetime ban, and an assurance that he is penalized for what would have been the remainder of his competitive cycling career.”