Lance Armstrong to be stripped of all tour titles
24 August 2012, 06:43 AM
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Lance Armstrong to be stripped of all tour titles
http://lancearmstrong.com/news-event...august-23-2012
From Sky News
From Sky News
Lance Armstrong will be stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from cycling for life, the US Anti-Doping Agency has said.
The decision came after Armstrong announced he was dropping his fight against USADA's charges that he used performance-enhancing drugs to win the most prestigious event in the sport from 1999 to 2005.
The USDA claims the US cyclist used banned substances including the blood-booster EPO and steroids, as well as blood transfusions.
The cyclist sued in a federal court to block the charges but lost.
He has now issued a statement protesting his innocence but confirming he will not fight the charges because of being weary of the doping accusations that have dogged him for years.
"There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say,*'Enough is enough,'" Armstrong said in a statement posted on his
website Lancearmstrong.com.
"For me, that time is now. I have been dealing with claims*that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven*Tours since 1999.
"The bottom line is I played by the rules that were put in place by the UCI, WADA and USADA when I raced."
USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said: "It is a sad day for all of us who love sport and our*athletic heroes.
"This is a heartbreaking example of how the win-at-all-costs*culture of sport, if left unchecked, will overtake fair, safe*and honest competition.
"But for clean athletes it is a reassuring reminder that there is hope for future generations to compete on a level playing field without the use of performance-enhancing drugs."
Armstrong survived testicular cancer early in his career and went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005.
He retired after the 2005 Tour de France, but returned in 2009, riding for Astana Cycling and RadioShack before retiring for a second time in February 2011, taking up triathlon earlier this year.
The decision came after Armstrong announced he was dropping his fight against USADA's charges that he used performance-enhancing drugs to win the most prestigious event in the sport from 1999 to 2005.
The USDA claims the US cyclist used banned substances including the blood-booster EPO and steroids, as well as blood transfusions.
The cyclist sued in a federal court to block the charges but lost.
He has now issued a statement protesting his innocence but confirming he will not fight the charges because of being weary of the doping accusations that have dogged him for years.
"There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say,*'Enough is enough,'" Armstrong said in a statement posted on his
website Lancearmstrong.com.
"For me, that time is now. I have been dealing with claims*that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven*Tours since 1999.
"The bottom line is I played by the rules that were put in place by the UCI, WADA and USADA when I raced."
USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said: "It is a sad day for all of us who love sport and our*athletic heroes.
"This is a heartbreaking example of how the win-at-all-costs*culture of sport, if left unchecked, will overtake fair, safe*and honest competition.
"But for clean athletes it is a reassuring reminder that there is hope for future generations to compete on a level playing field without the use of performance-enhancing drugs."
Armstrong survived testicular cancer early in his career and went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005.
He retired after the 2005 Tour de France, but returned in 2009, riding for Astana Cycling and RadioShack before retiring for a second time in February 2011, taking up triathlon earlier this year.
Last edited by SiPie; 24 August 2012 at 06:45 AM.
24 August 2012, 07:19 AM
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There never has been any. He was the most randomly tested athlete ever and NOTHING was ever found.It`s the French tw@ts out to discredit him as has been their agenda from the beginning.
24 August 2012, 07:23 AM
#5
I've got no special love or hatred for Armstrong one way or another, but when you look at the whole story it's pretty clear USADA are taking the proverbial.
Only time for a short post right now, but Press release: UCI clarifies USADA statement definitely puts things in a slightly different perspective from the Sky News piece:
Only time for a short post right now, but Press release: UCI clarifies USADA statement definitely puts things in a slightly different perspective from the Sky News piece:
"For the UCI it is clear that USADA claims an authority that it does not have and uses procedures that violate basic principles of due process. The absence of any evidence that has been made available to the respondents and to the UCI, the fact that USADA has no results management jurisdiction in this case, the fact that USADA refuses to have its file assessed by an independent results management authority and the fact that USADA continues to claim in these circumstances publicly that a doping conspiracy has taken place indeed brings UCI to the conclusion that USADA has no respect for the rules and for the principles of due process. This raises great concern."
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24 August 2012, 07:44 AM
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I thought it was the UCI alone that had the authority to strip people of titles, if found guilty. Sadly, until there is conclusive proof he doped there will always be someone asking questions. Giving up the fight and getting on with his life... Probably the best decision for him and his family.
24 August 2012, 08:04 AM
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So who wins those tours now......another doper?
Soon enough the winner will be the one who finished in 20th!
Plenty of evidence against him, anyone who pays Dr Ferrari for 'training programs' is guilty in my eyes.
Soon enough the winner will be the one who finished in 20th!
Plenty of evidence against him, anyone who pays Dr Ferrari for 'training programs' is guilty in my eyes.
24 August 2012, 08:21 AM
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as above I do not profess any great knowledge into this
always admired Armstong
but the little I have read suggested that throughout his career he played one set of doping authorities against the other
when investigated and accused by the french/european authorities his lawyers successfully argued that only the American Doping authorities has juristinction etc etc
and his legan actions in the US seemed purely to stop the investigation/accusation, not to contend any result
this in itself seems a little odd
always admired Armstong
but the little I have read suggested that throughout his career he played one set of doping authorities against the other
when investigated and accused by the french/european authorities his lawyers successfully argued that only the American Doping authorities has juristinction etc etc
and his legan actions in the US seemed purely to stop the investigation/accusation, not to contend any result
this in itself seems a little odd
24 August 2012, 08:51 AM
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24 August 2012, 08:57 AM
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"If I thought for one moment that by participating in USADA’s process, I could confront these allegations in a fair setting and – once and for all – put these charges to rest, I would jump at the chance. But I refuse to participate in a process that is so one-sided and unfair. Regardless of what Travis Tygart says, there is zero physical evidence to support his outlandish and heinous claims. The only physical evidence here is the hundreds of controls I have passed with flying colors. I made myself available around the clock and around the world. In-competition. Out of competition. Blood. Urine. Whatever they asked for I provided. What is the point of all this testing if, in the end, USADA will not stand by it?
...
Today I turn the page. I will no longer address this issue, regardless of the circumstances. I will commit myself to the work I began before ever winning a single Tour de France title: serving people and families affected by cancer, especially those in underserved communities. This October, my Foundation will celebrate 15 years of service to cancer survivors and the milestone of raising nearly $500 million. We have a lot of work to do and I'm looking forward to an end to this pointless distraction. I have a responsibility to all those who have stepped forward to devote their time and energy to the cancer cause. I will not stop fighting for that mission. Going forward, I am going to devote myself to raising my five beautiful (and energetic) kids, fighting cancer, and attempting to be the fittest 40-year old on the planet."
...
Today I turn the page. I will no longer address this issue, regardless of the circumstances. I will commit myself to the work I began before ever winning a single Tour de France title: serving people and families affected by cancer, especially those in underserved communities. This October, my Foundation will celebrate 15 years of service to cancer survivors and the milestone of raising nearly $500 million. We have a lot of work to do and I'm looking forward to an end to this pointless distraction. I have a responsibility to all those who have stepped forward to devote their time and energy to the cancer cause. I will not stop fighting for that mission. Going forward, I am going to devote myself to raising my five beautiful (and energetic) kids, fighting cancer, and attempting to be the fittest 40-year old on the planet."
24 August 2012, 10:44 AM
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In an unrelated interview during the olymipcs, they said that blood samples were to be kept on file and be re-rested periodically against any new drugs that emerge.
So you may not be caught immediately, but 7 years down the line a if drug that was previously not illegal (because it was not discovered) turns up in your samples - you can then get stripped of your titles.
So you may not be caught immediately, but 7 years down the line a if drug that was previously not illegal (because it was not discovered) turns up in your samples - you can then get stripped of your titles.
24 August 2012, 10:54 AM
#18
Whilst the sport is a joke. I think this is a case of who has the most money and best lawer wins. To have the sports bodies chase an individual for such a long time period is untenable. If the claims are proven, it should have been done and sorted out a long time ago.
And the fact is, we all know that alot of competitors are at it. Lance is being made an example of..rightly or wrongly. Others will get away with it though.
Whilst we're on about drugs/doping in sport, before the olympics started, I sat next to an interesting fellow on a flight home whom is very 'in' on the marathon circles (you name it, he's run it). He said then that Paula Radcliffe wouldn't run. Not becuase she was on anything or cheating, but moreso she couldn't get away with it now and as a result is no longer competitive.
Obviously that is a rumour. But the fact she dropped out last minute does make me wonder. It also made me realise how selfish she is by trying to compete when knowing she wasn't fit enough - denying another person a chance to run.
And the fact is, we all know that alot of competitors are at it. Lance is being made an example of..rightly or wrongly. Others will get away with it though.
Whilst we're on about drugs/doping in sport, before the olympics started, I sat next to an interesting fellow on a flight home whom is very 'in' on the marathon circles (you name it, he's run it). He said then that Paula Radcliffe wouldn't run. Not becuase she was on anything or cheating, but moreso she couldn't get away with it now and as a result is no longer competitive.
Obviously that is a rumour. But the fact she dropped out last minute does make me wonder. It also made me realise how selfish she is by trying to compete when knowing she wasn't fit enough - denying another person a chance to run.
Last edited by ALi-B; 24 August 2012 at 10:56 AM.
24 August 2012, 11:05 AM
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24 August 2012, 11:08 AM
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24 August 2012, 11:09 AM
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He had to give up the fight or he'd have to lie under oath which is a felony.
There are former teammates willing to testify against him and other evidence to. The witnesses are the like of Tyler Hamilton and 'roid' landis.
There are former teammates willing to testify against him and other evidence to. The witnesses are the like of Tyler Hamilton and 'roid' landis.
24 August 2012, 11:13 AM
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24 August 2012, 11:22 AM
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and lets be clear here
his legal fight so far, has been to prevent the US authorities bring charges against him
it is like me saying that the police have no right to issue me with a speeding ticket - and fighting that through the courts, and when I loose, just saying well I am not going to bother turning up to the magistrates court
the evidence never gets heard -- and I can continue to insist in my innocence
but get convicted nonetheless
and this was all started with an investigation by the FBI on a semi related matter due to the fact he was a Federal employee (riding for the US postal service)
they gathered alot of evidence (dopping and otherwise) but dropped the case in the end - the US doping authorities picked up the baton
his legal fight so far, has been to prevent the US authorities bring charges against him
it is like me saying that the police have no right to issue me with a speeding ticket - and fighting that through the courts, and when I loose, just saying well I am not going to bother turning up to the magistrates court
the evidence never gets heard -- and I can continue to insist in my innocence
but get convicted nonetheless
and this was all started with an investigation by the FBI on a semi related matter due to the fact he was a Federal employee (riding for the US postal service)
they gathered alot of evidence (dopping and otherwise) but dropped the case in the end - the US doping authorities picked up the baton
Last edited by hodgy0_2; 24 August 2012 at 12:14 PM.
24 August 2012, 01:44 PM
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I'm not a fan of cycling or Armstrong but if someone is regularly tested by different people in different countries and nothing is found then I don't see there is a case at all.
Any statements against him are therefore hearsay and conjecture, and in reality libelous.
Instead we have an institution out to prove its own testing is wrong purely to put down a modern hero in sport.
Any statements against him are therefore hearsay and conjecture, and in reality libelous.
Instead we have an institution out to prove its own testing is wrong purely to put down a modern hero in sport.
24 August 2012, 01:50 PM
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I'm not a fan of cycling or Armstrong but if someone is regularly tested by different people in different countries and nothing is found then I don't see there is a case at all.
Any statements against him are therefore hearsay and conjecture, and in reality libelous.
Instead we have an institution out to prove its own testing is wrong purely to put down a modern hero in sport.
Any statements against him are therefore hearsay and conjecture, and in reality libelous.
Instead we have an institution out to prove its own testing is wrong purely to put down a modern hero in sport.
24 August 2012, 02:50 PM
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as far as im aware samples can be kept, for " a length of time" and re-tested as new and emerging tecnologies appear.
cyclcing is rife imo - and its long since been said the winner "at many" top level sport is the one with the best doping avoidance programme and law team. whether thats true will never be known.
would be much simpler if they did 2 events, a performance enhanced series and a "natural" event - i wonder which one would generate most interest/income lol
blood doping wasever so popular at some point, to enhace anaerobic ability - and to fool testers - hardly new science
evry so often in cycling you get a name threatening to spill the beans, but its usuaully at the end of there career as after that being a trusted "team" memeber can be hard. a "grass" per say would loose friends/associates ect amongst the elite of the feild that new any hiddend truths, and often implicatig themselves at the same time
what happened to te tiger woods, and associated golf steroid scandal as an o.t?
cyclcing is rife imo - and its long since been said the winner "at many" top level sport is the one with the best doping avoidance programme and law team. whether thats true will never be known.
would be much simpler if they did 2 events, a performance enhanced series and a "natural" event - i wonder which one would generate most interest/income lol
blood doping wasever so popular at some point, to enhace anaerobic ability - and to fool testers - hardly new science
evry so often in cycling you get a name threatening to spill the beans, but its usuaully at the end of there career as after that being a trusted "team" memeber can be hard. a "grass" per say would loose friends/associates ect amongst the elite of the feild that new any hiddend truths, and often implicatig themselves at the same time
what happened to te tiger woods, and associated golf steroid scandal as an o.t?
Last edited by jef; 24 August 2012 at 03:11 PM.
24 August 2012, 10:24 PM
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I'm not a fan of cycling or Armstrong but if someone is regularly tested by different people in different countries and nothing is found then I don't see there is a case at all.
Any statements against him are therefore hearsay and conjecture, and in reality libelous.
Instead we have an institution out to prove its own testing is wrong purely to put down a modern hero in sport.
Any statements against him are therefore hearsay and conjecture, and in reality libelous.
Instead we have an institution out to prove its own testing is wrong purely to put down a modern hero in sport.