Lance Armstrong tainted by doping allegations.
The Fact that Lance Armstrong has been stripped of his seven titles during Le Tour De France creates a terrible situation for the world of cycling and the world of sport. Such an iconic sports hero being tainted by drug allegations that are yet to be proven is disheartening for his enormous fan base and also the world’s perspective of competitive cycling.
On Friday 24th of August Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven titles and slapped with a lifetime ban from competitive cycling over accusations of using banned substances. An action initiated by the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) that is in response to Armstrong’s decision to terminate his fight to clear his name from such allegations. The UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) is questioning the USADA’s decision to strip Armstrong however it is predicted that the UCI will concede the move as justified within 2-10 weeks.
During the presentation ceremony of Lance Armstrong’s final Tour win in Paris 2005, while on the podium receiving his yellow jersey Armstrong grabbed the announcer’s microphone and spoke directly to his critics. There was already controversy from his critics that his victories were aided by the use of banned substances. It was from the podium that Armstrong addressed the matter he confidently stated: “I am sorry for you. I am sorry you can’t dream. I’m sorry you don’t believe in miracles. But this is one hell of a race, and there are no secrets, this is a hard sport, and it is hard work that wins it.” This was considered him at his peak. He was at his highest point in his career at that moment where he confidently took the podium and talked down his critics.
Despite Armstrong being labeled as a cheat without any convictions by many involved in cycling world there are still plenty happy to defend him. Touring icons Eddy Merckx and Miguel Indurain are among those willing to defend him. “Until an organisation which is recognised by all decides to the contrary, the victories are his,” Indurain said. “Lance was always very correct during his career. What more can he do? All the tests he’s undertaken, more than 500 since 2000, have come back negative. So, either the tests don’t count for anything, or Armstrong is ‘legit’ Merckx said. Arguments such as these display Armstrong in a different light. He has done everything by procedure and always agreed to drug tests. What more could Armstrong do?
Armstrong’s decision to terminate his fight to clear his name has been labeled as unsurprising to anyone who has been aware of his long successful career. He has issued a statement explaining his decision to end his fight against the allegations. Armstrong has been put through 500 plus drug tests since 2000 and not once tested positive to any substances. Armstrong says in his statement: “I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven tours since 1999, the toll this has taken on my family and my work for our foundation and on me leads me to where I am today. Finished with this nonsense”. Many as an escape see this quote for Armstrong, as they believe if he was to fight the allegations he would lose.
Lance Armstrong will always been seen/labeled a cheat in the sport of cycling by his critics and rivals. Regardless if he had fought the allegations and won and cleared his name. His Tour dominance placed him into a category far beyond his nearest rival and the only explanation his critics have is to brand him as a cheat. Personally to see such an amazingly talented athlete’s reputation/career tarnished within such a sort time interval is disgusting. However some will remember him as the truly great legend he was, the greatest rider in history.
Bibliography:
Gallagher, B. (2012) ‘Lance Armstrong was tipped off 20 minutes before he was tested, claims French anti-doping official.’ [Online]. Available from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/lancearmstrong/9499744/Lance-Armstrong-was-tipped-off-20-minutes-before-he-was-tested-claims-French-anti-doping-official.html [Accessed: 3 September 2012].
Kogoy, P. (2012) ‘Armstrong stripped of titles, given lifetime ban from cycling’ [Online]. Available from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cycling/lance-armstrong-surrenders-dope-fight-and-titles/story-fn8sc2wz-1226457943854 [Accessed: 29 August 2012].
Liew, J. (2012) ‘When the wheels came off an American dream.’ [Online]. Available fromhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/lancearmstrong/9499452/Lance-Armstrong-when-the-wheels-came-off-an-American-dream.html [Accessed 3 September 2012]
Gallagher, B. (2012) ‘Stripping Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles is a nightmare scenario for cycling chiefs’ [Online]. Available from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/lancearmstrong/9498254/Stripping-Lance-Armstrong-of-his-seven-Tour-de-France-titles-is-a-nightmare-scenario-for-cycling-chiefs.html [Accessed 27 August 2012]
Youtube.com, (2012) ‘Lance Armstrong Doping – Guilty?’ [Online]. Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-06e9ZXBLa4 [Accessed 29 September 2012]
Phil Woolley
Phil,
I agree with you on this mate. He had a lot of tests while he was riding competitively all of which came back negative. I don’t know how anyone can be trying to press charges against him when nothing is proven. I think some people can’t accept the fact that sportsmen can be as successful as he was. I don’t really blame him for giving up the fight against his drug charges because they’ve been after him since day 1 and he’s obviously had enough. Good work buddy.
A great opinion piece Phil. Lance Armstrong’s pride and devotion is represented very well and his position in this conflicting situation is really clear. I agree with your argument that Lance’s critics and rivals may be jealous of his success and to see veteran of cycling be aggresively confronted with doping allegations only due to this large quantity of success seems quite childish and shocking.
Phil,
I think your article sums up what many people believe, Lance Armstrong is considered guilty by USADA, but not by those who have followed his outstanding career and suspect he may have been victimised.
It seems unbelievable that in a sport where anybody who has been suspected of cheating has been caught and yet Armstrong has been subjected to 500 tests and never found guilty. Are we to assume that just his doctor is cleverer than everybody else, the same doctor who administered illegal substances to Armstrong’s team mates, Tyler and Landis, who were suspended?
Given his fight against cancer and his amazing determination in 7 Tour victories, many supporters were dismayed that he didn’t fight USADA tooth and nail, but as you pointed out, his defence against allegations for over 10 years has taken an enormous toll on him personally, but more importantly, his family.
It is a bit of mystery that USADA has tenaciously pursued Armstrong, but did very little to follow up the Exum report into US Olympic athletes accused of drug cheating and the Mitchell report into baseball that exposed extensive use of steroids. The doubts surrounding the case against Lance Armstrong only add to the belief that he will be remembered by many “as the truly great legend he was, the greatest rider in history.”