AUSTIN, Texas — The US 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.
Travis Tygart, USADA’s chief executive, said Armstrong would also be hit with a lifetime ban on Friday. And under the World Anti-Doping Code, he would lose the bronze medal from the 2000 Olympics as well as any awards, event titles, and cash earnings.
Comments
How can a US agency possibly take away any Tour de France titles, which were issued in, and by, France?
The guy won those bike races fair and square abiding by, and passing all tests given at that time (and those tests are frequent tests). Armstrong rightfully has now refused to engage any longer in this monkey-business. Good for him.
He's innocent until proven guilty, and he definitely has not been proven guilty in any way. Show me the proof, and I'll believe that this action was justified.
BOX SCORE: Armstrong 7, USADA(Tygart) 0
Wow, they finally brought one more of my heroes down. How can people explain the rigid tests Armstrong passed over the years? Why should he continue to subject himself and his family to this torture? Now, all of his cycling buddies who have admitted doping can get a free pass to the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, America shoves another great athlete over the cliff.
They have no authority to strip his titles. They just couldn't let a national hero, a role model for cancer patients be, could they? There's always someone trying to cut their teeth and make a name for themselves regardless of consequences. This is a man who overcame the odds and succeeded in one of the most difficult physical sports there is. He's a man who transcends all sports and gives hope to cancer patients of all ages, sexes, races, religeons. He's not competing anymore. Just one question Mr. Tygart. Was it all worth it?
If, as it appears, many of the cyclists were doping, are we to believe that Armstrong beat them cleanly - repeatedly? Doesn't sound plausible, given the advantages that doping gives them. That he has now opted not to challenge the allegations strongly suggests that he has been doping all along, knows he cannot win, and does not want all the additional negative publicity the hearing would generate. With all the methods being developed to circumvent the testing, some of which may be undetectable, it appears that the era of clean sports is over.
Lance Armstrong is an amazing athlete with or without chemical assistance. His foundation does wonderful work for people with cancer. And, he passed the drug tests required of him during his championship years. Enough. USADA seems intent on taking down the Armstrong because he is such a high-profile cyclist. With the resources behind this agency, it is able to keep this fight going indefinitely. Just keep looking and testing - we'll get him on something. Eventually a single, targeted athlete is going to give up in defeat because they can't keep the defense going forever. It is too much to ask. Lance Armstrong has more important things to do with his life.
I remember reading once that we should just let the athletes dope (and live with the medical problems it causes)so that at least it is a level playing field (pun intended). Makes it easier, I guess.