Lance Armstrong stripped of of Tour de France wins, banned for life from cycling

[dougp]

Next up, Tiger Woods.

I'm wondering how they're going to reassign the TDF titles (assuming TDF takes them away) - because according to every person who attacks Lance, everyone at the top (hell, everyone in pro-cycling) cheats. Thus, none of them deserve the title.

Then, we also have dopers who hold records in MLB that haven't been stripped.

 

[SunnyD]

So what you're saying is that Nike doesn't dope, because that's one way that riders cope with the burn. Maybe they should ask for some tips ...

Nah man, what I'm saying is that companies like Nike don't give a shit whether their star athlete dopes, does drugs, rapes people, cooks meth or is a pedo. The only thing that the sponsors give a crap about is how much money in sales that name is going to generate. As soon as that name looks to be a black eye for the company and sales are going to fall off a cliff, cut it loose. You know that just as well as anyone.

*Note, I am not trying to imply any sort of guilt or innocence on Armstrong's person with my comments. I'm impartial, as there still seems to be a good bit of question as to whether there is any conclusive evidence or not other than a mountain of pissed off cyclists that got caught cheating with an ax to grind. That, and like others said, if everyone else was doping, then who cares if he was too - even playing field is even.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

I'm wondering how they're going to reassign the TDF titles (assuming TDF takes them away) - because according to every person who attacks Lance, everyone at the top (hell, everyone in pro-cycling) cheats. Thus, none of them deserve the title.

Then, we also have dopers who hold records in MLB that haven't been stripped.

UCI says that if they uphold the USADA's decision, they will vacate Armstrong's titles, and that no winners will be declared, essentially saying that the TourDF didn't exist for 7 years. I don't see how they can escape this outcome now.

 

[RampantAndroid]

UCI says that if they uphold the USADA's decision, they will vacate Armstrong's titles, and that no winners will be declared, essentially saying that the TourDF didn't exist for 7 years. I don't see how they can escape this outcome now.

Is Armstrong appealing directly to the UCI?

 

[torpid]

Nike has a penchant for endorsing people who are found to be lacking morally. Or is it that professional sports are flush with immoral people? Probably the latter, I guess.

 

[Jeffg010]

Retroactive testing of his blood samples revealed doping. 11 of his teammates testified against him under penalty of perjury. He made payments to a doctor that was famous for providing illegal drugs and doping regimens. Also, Lance orchestrated the doping and punished teammates for not following his regimen. Some other shady things (like Lance trying to destroy the reputations of people who spoke out against him).

He's a piece of shit.

Is there a link to the Retroactive testing of his blood samples revealed doping?

 

[Anonemous]

Is there a link to the Retroactive testing of his blood samples revealed doping?

Yea this... Last I heard it just a bunch of testimonies from guys who were outted by other dopers who were originally caught.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Yea this... Last I heard it just a bunch of testimonies from guys who were outted by other dopers who were originally caught.

And are testifying to lessen their own sentence. It's probable he was doping but without CLEAR evidence...I don't think his titles should be stripped. I'd also shut down the USADA. Sports can police themselves.

"better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer" - Blackstone ratio.

 

[Baked]

If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'. If you wanna be the best, you gotta do something to put yourself ahead of the pack. People who insist on honesty is a joke and live in a lie.

 

[lokiju]

Couldn't help but wonder when this would happen when I was at Dick's Sporting Goods last weekend eyeballing the Livestrong ellipticals and wondering if it did happen, would they sell the ellipticals for less?

 

[a123456]

Is there a link to the Retroactive testing of his blood samples revealed doping?

This is the full release: http://espn.go.com/photo/preview/!pdfs/121010/espn_reasoned_decision.pdf

Most of it is people evidence. The only real physical lab evidence is in the probable but not definitive area, so they just say he was using undetectable stuff. In particular around page 145 of the PDF, it goes on to say that some of his blood and plasma ratios were a little weird in 2009/2010 but when they asked for more information, none was given. There were a couple more tests where his results were "suspicious" too in 2001, where his numbers were 70-80% of the way into the typical EPO range.

In all likelihood, he probably did do some doping but I don't think there's ever going to be a smoking gun type lab result, like for Contador and the others that got caught.

 

[pelov]

Next up, Tiger Woods.

I've always been suspicious of golfers. They're far too fit and athletic not to be doping.

Golfing for 3-4 hours? Yea, right. Dopers.

 

[Anonemous]

This is the full release: http://espn.go.com/photo/preview/!pdfs/121010/espn_reasoned_decision.pdf

Most of it is people evidence. The only real physical lab evidence is in the probable but not definitive area, so they just say he was using undetectable stuff. In particular around page 145 of the PDF, it goes on to say that some of his blood and plasma ratios were a little weird in 2009/2010 but when they asked for more information, none was given. There were a couple more tests where his results were "suspicious" too like in 2001.

In all likelihood, he probably did do some doping but I don't think there's ever going to be a smoking gun type lab result, like for Contador and the others that got caught.

Thanks for the link.

 

[preslove]

I've always been suspicious of golfers. They're far too fit and athletic not to be doping.

Golfing for 3-4 hours? Yea, right. Dopers.

A bunch of golfers have gotten lasik to make their vision 20/15 because that vision somehow gives them better long distance sight.

Since then, scores of pro athletes have had laser eye surgery, known as LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis). Many, like Woods, have upgraded their vision to 20/15 or better. Golfers Scott Hoch, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, and Mike Weir have hit the 20/15 mark. So have baseball players Jeff Bagwell, Jeff Cirillo, Jeff Conine, Jose Cruz Jr., Wally Joyner, Greg Maddux, Mark Redman, and Larry Walker. Amare Stoudemire and Rip Hamilton of the NBA have done it, along with NFL players Troy Aikman, Ray Buchanan, Tiki Barber, Wayne Chrebet, and Danny Kanell. These are just some of the athletes who have disclosed their results in the last five years. Nobody knows how many others have gotten the same result.

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/human_nature/2005/04/the_beam_in_your_eye.2.html

 

[slag]

Women have an unfair advantage in tennis as their hands are already made to hold a spatula so a tennis racket isn't much of a stretch.

 

[pelov]

A bunch of golfers have gotten lasik to make their vision 20/15 because that vision somehow gives them better long distance sight.


http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/human_nature/2005/04/the_beam_in_your_eye.2.html

That's disappointing. I would like to see Richard Hamilton with a face mask and James Worthy goggles.

 

[Jeffg010]

This is the full release: http://espn.go.com/photo/preview/!pdfs/121010/espn_reasoned_decision.pdf

Most of it is people evidence. The only real physical lab evidence is in the probable but not definitive area, so they just say he was using undetectable stuff. In particular around page 145 of the PDF, it goes on to say that some of his blood and plasma ratios were a little weird in 2009/2010 but when they asked for more information, none was given. There were a couple more tests where his results were "suspicious" too in 2001, where his numbers were 70-80% of the way into the typical EPO range.

In all likelihood, he probably did do some doping but I don't think there's ever going to be a smoking gun type lab result, like for Contador and the others that got caught.

I read some of that link an page 53 claims he tested positive but they had a meeting to cover it up. Pretty bold claim if that really is true.

 

[Mixolydian]

When is the public lynching going to be?

 

[Hacp]

There is no actionable physical evidence. There is a 1999 drug test (retroactive) that was determined to be mishandled, IE, it could have been contaminated with sample from people that actually cheated(there are alot of them).

There is also that 1 in a million blood oxygen level bullshit that the USADA tried to pass off. Guess what? Lance IS one in a million, he's won more tours than anyone else out there.

Finally, there is circumstantial evidence from players that actually did dope. These players "testified" for lenient sentencing, so means they could be lying to get their bans lifted faster.

So there is no smoking gun. There is a good case that was built against Armstrong, but the USADA is biased against Armstrong, its trying to complete a witch hunt. The UCI is an organization that is more fair, and it actually has jurisdiction over Armstrong's titles.That is where Armstrong will defend himself against the evidence presented.

So in summary, whatever the USADA says is meaningless and we'll need to wait for what happens with the UCI to determine whether Armstrong really did cheat.

 

[dougp]

There is no actionable physical evidence. There is a 1999 drug test (retroactive) that was determined to be mishandled, IE, it could have been contaminated with sample from people that actually cheated(there are alot of them).

There is also that 1 in a million blood oxygen level bullshit that the USADA tried to pass off. Guess what? Lance IS one in a million, he's won more tours than anyone else out there.

Finally, there is circumstantial evidence from players that actually did dope. These players "testified" for lenient sentencing, so means they could be lying to get their bans lifted faster.

So there is no smoking gun. There is a good case that was built against Armstrong, but the USADA is biased against Armstrong, its trying to complete a witch hunt. The UCI is an organization that is more fair, and it actually has jurisdiction over Armstrong's titles.That is where Armstrong will defend himself against the evidence presented.

So in summary, whatever the USADA says is meaningless and we'll need to wait for what happens with the UCI to determine whether Armstrong really did cheat.

I agree with you, but refrained from posting because you'll get blasted by all the people who think ill of Lance, regardless of cheating or not. It's a lose-lose scenario.

 

[NFS4]

Anheuser-Busch follows Nike in dropping Armstrong sponsorship


(Reuters) - Anheuser-Busch, the brewer of Budweiser, on Wednesday said it would not renew its relationship with Lance Armstrong at the end of 2012, but will continue to support the embattled former professional cycling racer's cancer charity.

Anheuser-Busch, the U.S. unit of Belgian brewing conglomerate Anheuser-Busch Imbev, became the second major Armstrong sponsor to drop the cyclist on Wednesday, one week after U.S. anti-doping authorities released a scathing report accusing the seven-time Tour de France winner of an elaborate cheating scheme using performance-enhancing drugs.

Earlier on Wednesday athletic apparel maker Nike Inc. dropped its sponsorship. Separately, Armstrong said he was stepping down as chairman of his cancer charity, Livestrong.

Both Anheuser and Nike said they would continue to support Livestrong's activities.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/17/us-cycling-armstrong-anheuser-idUSBRE89G1J120121017

 

[dougp]

Trek dropped him as well.

 

[lowrider69]

Fuck Lance Armstrong.

His new catch phrase, Lie Strong.


George Carlin put it nicely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPUartlxr8w

The above clip has strong language. NSFW.

 

[NFS4]

Editor's note: Lance Armstrong has been stripped of the seven cycling titles that made him a legend. The International Cycling Union announced Monday that Armstrong is being stripped of his Tour de France titles. The decision follows this month's finding by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that there is "overwhelming" evidence that Armstrong was involved as a professional cyclist in "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program." Follow along for the latest news out of the press conference Monday morning as well as reaction as it comes in.

[Updated at 7:11 a.m. ET] The damage to Lance Armstrong's reputation is massive.

First he stepped down from chairman of the cancer charity Livestrong. Then he was stripped of his sponsorships with Nike and Anheuser-Busch.

Now the former seven-time Tour de France winner has been banned from the sport for life. Fourteen years of his career are officially wiped from the record books.

[Updated at 7:08 a.m. ET] The news is the ultimate blow for the cyclist.

"Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling," International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid says.

[Updated at 7:05 a.m. ET] The International Cycling Union has stripped Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles because of the conclusion he used performance-enhancing drugs.

"This is not the first time cycling has reached a crossroads and has had to begin anew. ... It will do so again with vigor," International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid says.

[Posted at 6:56 a.m. ET] The International Cycling Union, the sport's governing body, is set to rule on the agency's recommendation that Armstrong be stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

His reputation already in tatters after a lifetime ban by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Armstrong finds out Monday whether he will be scrubbed from the record books for the seven feats that made him a cycling legend.

The USADA found "overwhelming" evidence that he was involved as a professional cyclist in "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program."

The agency then announced it would ban Armstrong from the sport for life and strip him of his results dating from 1998. The decision wiped out 14 years of his career.

Should the International Cycling Union concur with the USADA's recommendation, it will be up to the organizers of the Tour de France whether it will nominate alternate winners for the 1999-2005 tours. The Amaury Sport Organisation, which runs the 21-day event, has said it will decide after the ruling.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/22/cycling-body-to-rule-on-lance-armstrongs-tour-de-france-wins/

 

[Doppel]

It really has caused irreparable damage to his name and his foundation.

He's not stupid and I suspect he knew this day may come. He may have thought the continued lies were worth it to keep using his brand to raise money for a genuine cause.