Armstrong Ban

Reading the letter sent to Armstrong I'm left with the impression that this is being brought because he was the only one who didn't co-operate with USADA's enquiry.  But, when you look at how USADA has treated him in the past, I don't think I'd be inclined to co-operate if I was him!

There doesn't seem to be any new evidence offered.  However, the best thing for all concerned is to hear ALL the evidence, put it out in the open, and let there be a judgement.  That way everyone will know one way or the other.  But the whole saga is damaging for all sport, not just cycling and Tri.

For me, perhaps I'm naieve, I believe he's innocent.  I would be extremely upset and angry if he wasn't!  Innocent until proven guilty.  Lets all hear / read the evidence please.

I don't think they're fingering LA for non-cooperation at all - that's just part of their argument

the case is being brought against a number of people, LA included, who were members of the US Postal team and which was part govt. funded.    

The letter says, I think, he's the only rider who they contacted who didn't co-operate.  I accept he's only part of the 'team' that the action has been brought against.  I suspect that none of those on the 'team' co-operated.  The inference is that, because they didn't co-operate, they must be trying to hide something.  Reading between the lines it seems that he was given the opportunity to confess or put his contra argument; decided not to and so they've brought the action.  

I'm willing to be corrected!  

(Most likely already said elsewhere)

CAS perhaps already checking the 2017 diary for any gaps to squeeze this one in?

Interesting to note back in '10 the UCI gave Mr Armstrong a 4 out of 10 score for those it suspected of doping.

And that 'score table' listing was a joke and was widely criticised!

To add, not because of just Armstrong but the whole principle of it.

Whatever the merits of the case how come Contador was allowed to continue racing until his case was heard and Armstrong can't race whilst under investigation?

fat buddha wrote (see)

here's another interesting article - http://inrng.com/2012/06/usada-charges-armstrong/

I like this bit at the end:

• Like loyal footsoldiers, fans will take their cues and soon start tearing strips off each other. I can understand both sides. But go for a ride to let off steam as there’s little new evidence here for now.
• Finally there is a good chance this all drags on and on, ending up in the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2013 or beyond.

FB - this article is good reading, especially the leaked charge letter.

Just seems like a witch hunt (as previously mentioned). USADA still reacting from when Tyler Hamilton said on CBS that he had seen LA using EPO and more than once.... But are the two riders coming forwards and grassing on LA, a result of LA being a totally uber competitive piece of work and rubbing fellow riders up the wrong way? Or did he dope? As previously mentioned on this thread, he is a phenomenal athlete either way. Surely you would have to be pretty special in the first place, to be that good on a small amount of naughtiness - as if you did loads of illegal you would get caught early?

Reading that charge letter, there are some huge names in trouble hey? Trying to explain this to people at work who are pretending to look interested.

I am annoyed they have stopped him racing, as i really enjoyed following his antics as a pro cyclist and was doubly loving him killing it in 70.3 (after a couple of outings that can hardly be called failures). Was looking forward to getting in the long run early next sunday morning and following the live stream from IM France next Sunday.

Dubai Dave wrote (see)

Whatever the merits of the case how come Contador was allowed to continue racing until his case was heard and Armstrong can't race whilst under investigation?

they are covered under separate rules.  Contador was allowed as he was under UCI jurisdiction which allows racing until proven guilty; LA is racing tri as a WTC pro and WTC have banned him racing WTC events under their rules - banned whilst "under investigation".  but that ban is also "subject to review" to add extra interest!!!

that doesn't stop LA racing non WTC events unless USAT have the same rule but I don't see LA doing that - his focus was on IM and he was a WTC ambassador.

 He doped, everyone that has any real interest in cycling knows that or else is wilfully ignoring the evidence. 

He wasn't the only one that doped of course - he won by the unwritten rules of the peloton at that time - though of course not everyone that dopes benefits to the same amount and it seems likely Armstrong benefitted more than most.  

But most of his rivals have now been banned at some point - so it's his turn.   He actually came back and it seems now was doping during his comeback when the peloton seems to have been trying to clean itself up - the argument they were all at it is perhaps no longer applicable by 2009.  THere are also plenty who have presented convincing arguments that he's made quite a bit of personal gain out of his cancer charity.   Plus the way he treated Simeoni for talking about doping.   

So all in he deserves all he gets over this - I'd have more respect if he could be a man and fess up.

Very very few sportspeople do confess, there is alway mitigating circumstances, or the sportsperson received a drug without their knowledge. Is it my imagination or didn't he test positive for EPO in or around 1999 before it was put on the banned list? 

popsider wrote (see)

 Plus the way he treated Simeoni for talking about doping.   

That's always grated with me TBH, it said more about him as a person than any of the denials.  I've never realy understood why he would behave like that when he knew the cameras were on him.

Plus he overtook me once at the Boston Marathon, obviously due to performance-enhancing stimulants.  Deserves all he gets I say.

Cheerful Dave wrote (see)

popsider wrote (see)

 Plus the way he treated Simeoni for talking about doping.   

That's always grated with me TBH, it said more about him as a person than any of the denials.  I've never realy understood why he would behave like that when he knew the cameras were on him.

 

Me too.  I thought that was completely appalling behaviour, and showed his true colours.

Opinions will vary on whether he doped, but that behaviour proved he is a complete shit.

I don't think LA is any more arrogant than many other top sportspeople with lots of money - think of the multi-millionaire shits who play wendyball and their utter arrogance.

it's almost a given that you have to be a twat at the highest sporting excellence whether that's the way you treat other people, the way you conduct your life, the way you deny taking drugs etc etc etc

of course, that's a sweeping generalisation - there are many humble ones as well - but you rarely hear of them.

i dont give a poo

tbh watching cycling, swimming or running on TV bores me after 30 minutes, triathlons can hold me for maybe an hour. I love the events that I enter and the events that people I know take place in but apart from that - no thanks - Am I alone in this point view or do most of you follow everything tri related?

I love watching cycling and have done for years, I feel that most fans understand that at some point the whole peleton were on the gear....even today i bet the line between legal or not is constantly being tested.

The whole LA thing is sad purely from the Livestrong charity side...if he cheated to win TdeF then strip him, void that year and move on, don't bother giving to someone else now.

But if this turn out to be BS and he is cleared again..then please can this be the end of it.

Doner Kebab wrote (see)

i dont give a poo

tbh watching cycling, swimming or running on TV bores me after 30 minutes, triathlons can hold me for maybe an hour. I love the events that I enter and the events that people I know take place in but apart from that - no thanks - Am I alone in this point view or do most of you follow everything tri related?

I don't watch sport either, of any kind. 

Watching a bunch of strangers do sport doesn't do it for me, but I read, and Bad Blood (about the TdF) was very interesting.

I have always wondered if maybe he didn't dope but clearly was taking drugs during his cancer treatment - at least I assume he was. That treatment, clearly medically required, may have had some long term benefits. At the very least it may change his perception of pain threshold.

This latest bout is pathetic, one sample that 'may' be suspect but even the lab won't stand behind the sample.

Given the amount of attempts they have all had at pinning something on him and failed I think WTC should allow him to race. If it proves positive, which is unlikely, then strip him.

WTC should admit there may be a case to answer and state that if guilty then he will be dishonourably discharged and kicked in the nuts. Until then race away.

To be honest I suspect that many of the triathlon pros may take banned substances in the future (given flu remedy is on the banned list) and therefore shouldn't be allowed to race ever - ban all the pros!!

M.eface

Now for the silly bit.

May favorite bit is the British Triathlon Federation ban anything that is performance enhancing which always makes me laugh. TT bikes are performance enhancing, as is a good diet, and even training. The Brownlees have even gone on record to say they have trained - it is clearly perfromance enhancing so ban them.

An interesting development in the story...:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18441436