Bye Bye Lance Armstrong.

[steveo777]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cycling/story/ ... les-082312

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles after he declared he was finished fighting the drug charges that threaten his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

[scarygirl]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cycling/story/us-anti-doping-agency-will-ban-lance-armstrong-for-life-strip-tour-de-france-titles-082312

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles after he declared he was finished fighting the drug charges that threaten his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

Actually they can't do that. They have no jurisdiction as all the races were were won in France. Is there any real physical proof that he cheated other than people saying he did?

http://www.businessinsider.com/lance-armstrong-has-not-been-stripped-of-his-tour-de-france-titles-2012-8

"This ruling was handed down by the UNITED STATES Anti Doping Agency. And the simple fact is that the races in question took place in France and are under the jurisdiction of Tour de France officials and the International Cycling Union.

The USADA can recommend the titles be stripped. And under typical circumstances, the governing bodies would accept the recommendation. But Lance Armstrong is not a typical circumstance. And in fact, the International Cycling Union has challenged the USADA's authority on this matter, and are likely to ignore the recommendation"

[JRNYMAN]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cycling/story/us-anti-doping-agency-will-ban-lance-armstrong-for-life-strip-tour-de-france-titles-082312

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles after he declared he was finished fighting the drug charges that threaten his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

This story pisses me off so bad! He never tested positive for ANY illegal substances. He earned his 7 titles without a shred of negativity following him or his reputation. He's now retired. And, no one has done more to bring positive attention to the sport of cycling than he has. And now, because of some rogue asshole who suspects he was masking and has also not been able to provide an ounce of proof of it, Armstrong is being stripped of his titles and banned from cycling for life because he finally became exhausted with the bullshit and the stress. This just sucks!

[RPM]

so theres no actual proof? no failed test? this doesnt
make sense!

[slucero]

Armstrong chose not to fight it... so...

http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/1 ... nce-titles

...Armstrong’s decision not to take the charges against him to arbitration triggers the lifetime ineligibility and forfeiture of all results from Aug. 1, 1998, through the present, which would include the Tour de France titles he won from 1999 through 2005.

The federal probe was closed in February, but USADA announced in June it had evidence Armstrong used banned substances and methods — and encouraged their use by teammates. The agency also said it had blood tests from 2009 and 2010 that were “fully consistent” with blood doping.

Included in USADA’s evidence were emails written by Armstrong’s former U.S. Postal Service teammate Floyd Landis, who was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title after a positive drug test. Landis’ emails to a USA Cycling official detailed allegations of a complex doping program on the team.

USADA also said it had 10 former Armstrong teammates ready to testify against him. Other than suggesting they include Landis and Tyler Hamilton, both of whom have admitted to doping offences, the agency has refused to say who they are or specifically what they would say.

I'm betting Armstrong realized that his claim of innocence (and his image) would likely be permanently tarnished if 10 of his former teammates were willing to testify against him, and he was actually found guilty.... so making the claim that he'll no longer fight the accusations to protect his reputation, image and honor, because he's "grown weary" are more the result of a good publicist' plan, and the only way he can still claim innocence into perpetuity.

Ironically, this move is contrary to everything he is about. For a man who was such a competitor, to the end, and now retired, all Armstrong has left is his "reputation, image and honor". One would think a man of his character would defend those things the same way he rode.. to the end.


"Weary"?

Probably not.

Finally busted?

More likely.

[RPM]

Armstrong chose not to fight it... so...

http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/1 ... nce-titles

...Armstrong’s decision not to take the charges against him to arbitration triggers the lifetime ineligibility and forfeiture of all results from Aug. 1, 1998, through the present, which would include the Tour de France titles he won from 1999 through 2005.

The federal probe was closed in February, but USADA announced in June it had evidence Armstrong used banned substances and methods — and encouraged their use by teammates. The agency also said it had blood tests from 2009 and 2010 that were “fully consistent” with blood doping.

Included in USADA’s evidence were emails written by Armstrong’s former U.S. Postal Service teammate Floyd Landis, who was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title after a positive drug test. Landis’ emails to a USA Cycling official detailed allegations of a complex doping program on the team.

USADA also said it had 10 former Armstrong teammates ready to testify against him. Other than suggesting they include Landis and Tyler Hamilton, both of whom have admitted to doping offences, the agency has refused to say who they are or specifically what they would say.

I'm betting Armstrong realized that his claim of innocence (and his image) would likely be permanently tarnished if 10 of his former teammates were willing to testify against him, and he was actually found guilty.... so making the claim that he'll no longer fight the accusations to protect his reputation, image and honor, because he's "grown weary" are more the result of a good publicist' plan, and the only way he can still claim innocence into perpetuity.

Ironically, this move is contrary to everything he is about. For a man who was such a competitor, to the end, and now retired, all Armstrong has left is his "reputation, image and honor". One would think a man of his character would defend those things the same way he rode.. to the end.


"Weary"?

Probably not.

Finally busted?

More likely.

You make some good points, it seems he must be guilty, what a shame.

[strangegrey]

I really wish they would do this in baseball....

[maverick218]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cycling/story/us-anti-doping-agency-will-ban-lance-armstrong-for-life-strip-tour-de-france-titles-082312

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles after he declared he was finished fighting the drug charges that threaten his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

Actually they can't do that. They have no jurisdiction as all the races were were won in France. Is there any real physical proof that he cheated other than people saying he did?

http://www.businessinsider.com/lance-armstrong-has-not-been-stripped-of-his-tour-de-france-titles-2012-8

"This ruling was handed down by the UNITED STATES Anti Doping Agency. And the simple fact is that the races in question took place in France and are under the jurisdiction of Tour de France officials and the International Cycling Union.

The USADA can recommend the titles be stripped. And under typical circumstances, the governing bodies would accept the recommendation. But Lance Armstrong is not a typical circumstance. And in fact, the International Cycling Union has challenged the USADA's authority on this matter, and are likely to ignore the recommendation"

Yep, USADA= no international authority. He has passed hundreds of drug tests- never a positive result that i'm aware of . As far as his "teammates" who where going to testify against him, I'm pretty sure that every single one of them have been busted for doping, so to me, they have zero credibility.

[maverick218]

so theres no actual proof? no failed test? this doesnt
make sense!

exactly

[Babyblue]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cycling/story/us-anti-doping-agency-will-ban-lance-armstrong-for-life-strip-tour-de-france-titles-082312

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles after he declared he was finished fighting the drug charges that threaten his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

Actually they can't do that. They have no jurisdiction as all the races were were won in France. Is there any real physical proof that he cheated other than people saying he did?

http://www.businessinsider.com/lance-armstrong-has-not-been-stripped-of-his-tour-de-france-titles-2012-8

"This ruling was handed down by the UNITED STATES Anti Doping Agency. And the simple fact is that the races in question took place in France and are under the jurisdiction of Tour de France officials and the International Cycling Union.

The USADA can recommend the titles be stripped. And under typical circumstances, the governing bodies would accept the recommendation. But Lance Armstrong is not a typical circumstance. And in fact, the International Cycling Union has challenged the USADA's authority on this matter, and are likely to ignore the recommendation"

Yep, USADA= no international authority. He has passed hundreds of drug tests- never a positive result that i'm aware of . As far as his "teammates" who where going to testify against him, I'm pretty sure that every single one of them have been busted for doping, so to me, they have zero credibility.

Agree! But it still sucks all the same.

[yulog]

I really wish they would do this in baseball....

There would be a mass exodus

[slucero]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cycling/story/us-anti-doping-agency-will-ban-lance-armstrong-for-life-strip-tour-de-france-titles-082312

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles after he declared he was finished fighting the drug charges that threaten his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

Actually they can't do that. They have no jurisdiction as all the races were were won in France. Is there any real physical proof that he cheated other than people saying he did?

http://www.businessinsider.com/lance-armstrong-has-not-been-stripped-of-his-tour-de-france-titles-2012-8

"This ruling was handed down by the UNITED STATES Anti Doping Agency. And the simple fact is that the races in question took place in France and are under the jurisdiction of Tour de France officials and the International Cycling Union.

The USADA can recommend the titles be stripped. And under typical circumstances, the governing bodies would accept the recommendation. But Lance Armstrong is not a typical circumstance. And in fact, the International Cycling Union has challenged the USADA's authority on this matter, and are likely to ignore the recommendation"

Yep, USADA= no international authority. He has passed hundreds of drug tests- never a positive result that i'm aware of . As far as his "teammates" who where going to testify against him, I'm pretty sure that every single one of them have been busted for doping, so to me, they have zero credibility.

And Barry Bonds melon head isn't proof either... lmao


Kinda hard for you to be "pretty sure that every single one of them have been busted for doping".... since only 2 are known... the other 5 names have never been revealed...


Even Greg Lemond said Armstrong was cheating... guess you know better eh?

Amrstrong was the Barry Bonds of cycling.. the best cheater in the dirtiest sport...

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/sport ... odayspaper

“And in the doping world, that is known as a nonanalytical positive – an athlete implicated not by a positive drug test but by supporting evidence.

In recent years, it has become the new way to catch athletes who cheat.

‘Science can’t decide everything,’ David Howman, director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency, said. ‘These days, you need to complement a testing program with the gathering of evidence with other methods. To build your case, you put together strands that make one strong rope.’”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/sport ... odayspaper

Maybe the most telling segment concerns an Irish masseuse named Emma O’Reilly, who was Armstrong’s personal kneader during the 1999 Tour. (She was also asked to make a mysterious run from Spain to France, to deliver some mysterious material across the border.)

During the 1999 Tour, O’Reilly said, her workload had been lightened when one cyclist, the aforementioned Vaughters, dropped out of the race. That left her more time to minister to Armstrong and one other rider. On the team bus, she claimed, she heard several top team officials fretting about a positive test by Armstrong for steroids. They were in a panic, saying: “What are we going to do? What are we going to do?” Their solution was to get one of their compliant doctors to issue a prescription for a steroid-based ointment to combat saddle sores. If Armstrong had saddle sores, O’Reilly said, she would have known.

In “Confidentiel” (page 207), O’Reilly quotes Armstrong as telling her, “Now Emma you know enough to bring me down.”

That backdated doctor’s note in 1999 nullified the finding of steroids. Lance rode on. Five years later, during an early stage in Belgium, I referred to a “positive test” in 1999. One of Armstrong’s top advisers sidled up to me in a prerace staging area and said, in unmistakably legal terms, that a nullified result was not a positive test. I granted the legal distinction but always remembered the urgent and specific way that message was delivered.

[scarab]

no difference when Neal insisted Augeri lipped.
Cheaters always win

[Arkansas]

I really don't think that I could care any less. Lance Armstrong is an American icon. For some 'offical board' to come back years later and condemn him doesn't affect me or America at all.

I think he took the high road by dismissing it all. Right or wrong, I applaud him for basically saying "yeah, whatever". I mean, it's kinda like professional baseball. There seems to be so many witch hunts, that we don't care so much any more. And especially since Roger Clemens just beat it, I'd bet that Lance Armstrong is using that in his favor by bowing-out. He's basically saying that while he could fight this for the rest of his life, why waste the energy & tons of money. He's retired and moved on.

Don't get me wrong, PEDs are flat out wrong, and artificial success sends the wrong msg to all aspiring young athletes of any sport. However, there's got to be a time, when all the harrassment, especially ex post facto, just brings a sport down even further.


later~

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

There is no doubt Armstrong is a doper. Because they all are . I do a lot of riding and a few years back I was in a cycling club that had a few semi pro riders in it. One of them told me that he was going pro, but when they went to sign him up , that some of his salary would be set aside for his "treatments" and that was mandatory if he wanted to be on a pro team. He didnt want to do it so went back to being a weekend warrior.

So Lance's 7 titles would have to go to the podium girls who hand out the flowers and stuffed animals to the race winners.

The real problem I have with the whole thing is that the US Govt shouldnt be funding and anti doping agency (USADA) they shouldnt have been running a govt funded cycling team (US Postal). So no sympathy for Lance from me, but the USADA had no business sticking getting involved in a private sport.

[slucero]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cycling/story/us-anti-doping-agency-will-ban-lance-armstrong-for-life-strip-tour-de-france-titles-082312

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles after he declared he was finished fighting the drug charges that threaten his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

Actually they can't do that. They have no jurisdiction as all the races were were won in France. Is there any real physical proof that he cheated other than people saying he did?

http://www.businessinsider.com/lance-armstrong-has-not-been-stripped-of-his-tour-de-france-titles-2012-8

"This ruling was handed down by the UNITED STATES Anti Doping Agency. And the simple fact is that the races in question took place in France and are under the jurisdiction of Tour de France officials and the International Cycling Union.

The USADA can recommend the titles be stripped. And under typical circumstances, the governing bodies would accept the recommendation. But Lance Armstrong is not a typical circumstance. And in fact, the International Cycling Union has challenged the USADA's authority on this matter, and are likely to ignore the recommendation"

Yep, USADA= no international authority. He has passed hundreds of drug tests- never a positive result that i'm aware of . As far as his "teammates" who where going to testify against him, I'm pretty sure that every single one of them have been busted for doping, so to me, they have zero credibility.

UH-HUH... guess the teammates were "credible" all along...

Armstrong admits to Oprah he cheated during cycling career

By Steve Almasy, CNN
updated 10:21 PM EST, Mon January 14, 2013
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/14/showbiz/l ... index.html

(CNN) -- Lance Armstrong, who for years vehemently denied cheating while winning a record seven Tours de France, told Oprah Winfrey that he used performance-enhancing drugs to advance his cycling career, according to media reports.

ABC News and USA Today, citing unnamed sources, reported Monday night that the former cyclist finally admitted to using steroids during an interview he and Winfrey taped Monday night in Armstrong's hometown of Austin, Texas.

[The Sushi Hunter]

I really wish they would do this in baseball....

Yeah, quite interesting how the public is viewing this Armstrong situation compared to how they were all claiming the Bonds steroid situation was nothing but a racially motivated witch hunt. By the way, did Oprah have Bonds on her show ever to talk about that steroid situation?

[slucero]

I really wish they would do this in baseball....

Yeah, quite interesting how the public is viewing this Armstrong situation compared to how they were all claiming the Bonds steroid situation was nothing but a racially motivated witch hunt. By the way, did Oprah have Bonds on her show ever to talk about that steroid situation?

Bonds was only found guilty of obstruction... so he has nothing to really apologize for, like Armstrong.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6347014

But everyone knew he was juicing...

[Don]

Bonds wasn't suing people left or right including former friends or being rewarded by the courts for claiming libel for what now has turned out to be true by Armstrong's own admission.

[The Sushi Hunter]

That's exactly what I noticed. Back in '92 Bonds looked normal, only a few short years later, he looked like he should be selling George Forman bbqs.

[Don]

More than the doping, the emphasis here needs to be on the lives Armstrong destroyed to keep this under wraps. Not so much his teammates, who were pretty much complicit until it was convenient for them to come out, but for the others, the non-cycling associates and friends who took the brunt of his anger when they disclosed the truth (sometimes under duress) about Lance's cheating.

[slucero]

More than the doping, the emphasis here needs to be on the lives Armstrong destroyed to keep this under wraps. Not so much his teammates, who were pretty much complicit until it was convenient for them to come out, but for the others, the non-cycling associates and friends who took the brunt of his anger when they disclosed the truth (sometimes under duress) about Lance's cheating.

Yup. It's the people who's lives & careers he destroyed keeping his doping under wraps....

Armstrong deserves to have his ass sued till he dies..



This is no different than Arnold Schwarzenegger going on TV to clear up the mess surrounding his cheating on his wife... and then trying to plug his book..

2 self serving, pompous asshole who need to have their lives ruined... JUST like they've ruined others lives..

[JRNYMAN]

I couldn't give a shit either way, personally. The thing that's perhaps most tragic or sad is the damage that has come to the sport itself through this ordeal. Because of Armstrong's high profile and the heights he rose to which in turn brought more awareness of the sport to the average Joe than anything else ever had or maybe ever could, this issue will forever taint the name of cycling and ultimately the Tour de France. His name will now be associated with cycling not because of the accolades he achieved in winning an unprecedented 7 titles but instead for the scandal and shame he brought to himself and those associated with cycling et al.

Curious... do the 2nd place winners now become the winners in all the races he won - or will it be as though they never took place with a blank in the "Winner's Name" column of those races?

[slucero]

I couldn't give a shit either way, personally. The thing that's perhaps most tragic or sad is the damage that has come to the sport itself through this ordeal. Because of Armstrong's high profile and the heights he rose to which in turn brought more awareness of the sport to the average Joe than anything else ever had or maybe ever could, this issue will forever taint the name of cycling and ultimately the Tour de France. His name will now be associated with cycling not because of the accolades he achieved in winning an unprecedented 7 titles but instead for the scandal and shame he brought to himself and those associated with cycling et al.

As it should. The sport deserves this... it brought it on itself.

Just as MLB did with steroids, especially after the strike... cycling looked the other way and lapped up the new found popularity Armstrong brought them. Now they are paying the price.

If McGuires less than 25% of HOF election balloting in the last 7 years any indication, it's why McGuire Bonds, Clemens and Sosa won't make the HOF in their lifetimes, if ever. And MLB doesn't get to have a HOF induction ceremony, which reminds everyone about the era the Commissioner would like everyone to forget.

Curious... do the 2nd place winners now become the winners in all the races he won - or will it be as though they never took place with a blank in the "Winner's Name" column of those races?

They'll vacate and award to whoever is left who hasn't tested positive... .if there is anyone..

[Don]

I couldn't give a shit either way, personally. The thing that's perhaps most tragic or sad is the damage that has come to the sport itself through this ordeal. Because of Armstrong's high profile and the heights he rose to which in turn brought more awareness of the sport to the average Joe than anything else ever had or maybe ever could, this issue will forever taint the name of cycling and ultimately the Tour de France. His name will now be associated with cycling not because of the accolades he achieved in winning an unprecedented 7 titles but instead for the scandal and shame he brought to himself and those associated with cycling et al.

As it should. The sport deserves this... it brought it on itself.

Just as MLB did with steroids, especially after the strike... cycling looked the other way and lapped up the new found popularity Armstrong brought them. Now they are paying the price.

If McGuires less than 25% of HOF election balloting in the last 7 years any indication, it's why McGuire Bonds, Clemens and Sosa won't make the HOF in their lifetimes, if ever. And MLB doesn't get to have a HOF induction ceremony, which reminds everyone about the era the Commissioner would like everyone to forget.

Curious... do the 2nd place winners now become the winners in all the races he won - or will it be as though they never took place with a blank in the "Winner's Name" column of those races?

They'll vacate and award to whoever is left who hasn't tested positive... .if there is anyone..

I'm pretty sure the Tour de France has already stated that those titles will remain vacant of winners.

[slucero]

I couldn't give a shit either way, personally. The thing that's perhaps most tragic or sad is the damage that has come to the sport itself through this ordeal. Because of Armstrong's high profile and the heights he rose to which in turn brought more awareness of the sport to the average Joe than anything else ever had or maybe ever could, this issue will forever taint the name of cycling and ultimately the Tour de France. His name will now be associated with cycling not because of the accolades he achieved in winning an unprecedented 7 titles but instead for the scandal and shame he brought to himself and those associated with cycling et al.

As it should. The sport deserves this... it brought it on itself.

Just as MLB did with steroids, especially after the strike... cycling looked the other way and lapped up the new found popularity Armstrong brought them. Now they are paying the price.

If McGuires less than 25% of HOF election balloting in the last 7 years any indication, it's why McGuire Bonds, Clemens and Sosa won't make the HOF in their lifetimes, if ever. And MLB doesn't get to have a HOF induction ceremony, which reminds everyone about the era the Commissioner would like everyone to forget.

Curious... do the 2nd place winners now become the winners in all the races he won - or will it be as though they never took place with a blank in the "Winner's Name" column of those races?

They'll vacate and award to whoever is left who hasn't tested positive... .if there is anyone..

I'm pretty sure the Tour de France has already stated that those titles will remain vacant of winners.

Yup... there ya go.

[JRNYMAN]

I'm pretty sure the Tour de France has already stated that those titles will remain vacant of winners.

Musta missed that. Thanks!

[mrsromek]

I still remember seeing Big Mac up close at a Cards game in the late 90's. His forearms were as big as my thighs. I don't think Sammy ever said anything except for los drugos muy bien por beisbol.

[slucero]

Lance Armstrong stripped of Olympic medal.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/17/sport/arm ... ?hpt=hp_t1


Just wait till all the lawsuits starting piling on... ARmstrong is gonna wish his name was Floyd Landis..

[Don]

Lance says he can’t remember all the people his lawyers sued, there were so many.
Don’t worry, big guy. They all remember you. I’m sure payback is going to be a bitch.