Lifedotsport: Lance

Ron Andruff
4622 days ago

Today's NY Times article about Lance choosing not to fight the US Anti-Doping Agency regarding his alledged doping makes it pretty clear that he did not have a chance of winning the fight. So sad. At the end of the day, when Lance gives back his trophies and Olympic medal, the riders of today will still be doping.

But what a precipitous fall for one of the greatest athletes the world of cycling has ever known! Clearing out his trophy case will be the least of the pain this decision will cost him...

Here is the article:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/24/sports/cycling/lance-armstrong-ends-fight-against-doping-charges-losing-his-7-tour-de-france-titles.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Tom Barrett

Tom Barrett
4622 days ago

Ron,

I wonder...I don't think he is literally obligated to return the trophies and medals. I assume they are simply changing the historical records as to who is the official winner.

As for the hardware bling, he should hire Sotheby's to auction them off or donate them to a museum.

I think the history books will always say "he was stripped of his medals even though he passed every doping test"

Tom

Ron Andruff

Ron Andruff
4622 days ago

I'm not so sure Tom. The Times article says: "Armstrong’s decision, according to the World Anti-Doping Code, means he will be stripped of his seven Tour titles, the bronze medal he won at the 2000 Olympics and all other titles, awards and money he won from August 1998 forward." Which is ambiguous, but I do believe that he has to in fact return them all with any money that came with them... I am quite sure of that with regard to the Olympics - they actually pass the medals down to the next place finisher. So, someone is about to get a bronze medal in cycling at the Beijing Games. Wow!

As for the history books, I think the notation will say "he doped and therefore his titles were all revoked".

As I said, very sad...

RA

Cherian Mathai

Cherian Mathai
4622 days ago

Tom/Ron

It will be interesting to see how UCI (International Cycling Union) is going to save its face from this mess. They have claimed that US Anti-doping agency has no jurisdiction in the case in a desperate bid to save its "friend". Now they have gone one step ahead and asked USADA to explain its actions against Lance before they strip him of the medals! Some temerity!!

CM

Ron Andruff

Ron Andruff
4619 days ago

@Cherian: Well, one can understand how the UCI is trying to protect itself and its sport from taking such a huge hit - after all their champion for a decade is burning up like an asteroid entering Earth's atmosphere... It is very unfortunate Lance's legions of fans to have to accept this humbling situation, as much as it is for the UCI...

RA

Cherian Mathai

Cherian Mathai
4594 days ago

Well, UCI has decided not to give amnesty to athletes who have taken enhancement drugs. Apparently there was a move afoot at the ongoing Annual Congress at Maastricht, Netherlands to provide a blanket amnesty for all offenders and thereby "save" Lance Armstrong.

http://espn.go.com/olympics/cycling/story/_/id/8407175/uci-backs-amnesty-idea-doping-cycling

Ron Andruff

Ron Andruff
4594 days ago

Interesting that the UCI even floated the idea! Imagine the discussion that went on... But, clearly, acceptance by the UCI is tantamount to their having been complicit, in my view.