Lance Armstrong ends fight against doping charges - will be stripped of Tour de France wins

[PBancroft]

It's all here: http://bbc.in/MPTiZ3

The US anti-doping agency (USADA) now says it will ban Armstrong from cycling for life and strip him of his seven Tour de France titles.

"There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, 'Enough is enough.' For me, that time is now," Armstrong said in the statement.
"I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999.
"Over the past three years, I have been subjected to a two-year federal criminal investigation followed by Travis Tygart's [USADA's chief executive] unconstitutional witch hunt.
"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."

 

[geo]

He is a legend, he has and always will have in my eyes 7 tour wins, no matter what any anti drug agency will decide

 

[Drago]

Will the 2 nd place men be promoted to 1 st??

 

[smokeysmoo]

Long running discussion on the subject HERE

 

[yello]

I'd hang on until the official USADA announcement, not that it'll differ greatly in substance.

Will the 2 nd place men be promoted to 1 st??

I doubt it.

 

[biggs682]

what more can be said

 

[Drago]

It would seem the USADA may not have the authority or jurisdiction to strip him of his titles anyway.

 

[Noodley]

He is a legend, he has and always will have in my eyes 7 tour wins, no matter what any anti drug agency will decide

 

[Noodley]

listen, if you want to discuss it based on facts then fair enough...but at least do everyone else a favour and base opinions on something more than "I like him"

 

[yello]

It would seem the USADA may not have the authority or jurisdiction to strip him of his titles anyway.

I can only suggest you read through the thread linked to earlier. There's little point in duplicating the arguments here. Keep this thread for reactions etc.

 

[Drago]

I can only suggest you chill out, and stop telling people what they can talk about and where. You clearly work for USADA...

 

[yello]

I can only suggest you chill out.

Excuse me? I was actually trying to be helpful! I didn't want to bring facts and analysis into this thread since I know it intimidates some people. If you don't like the news then fair enough but don't turn on me because of it.

Edit: ah, you've edited your post. It reads a little less aggressively now so you're to be thanked. I wasn't "telling" anyone anything btw - only suggesting. I wasn't being malicious, far from it, I just see no purpose in repeating information.

I'm happy to keep a low profile in this thread just in case people don't want debate and only want to express their feelings/opinion. So long as there isn't wanton distortion, then I'll keep quiet.

 

[Aperitif]

Notwithstanding any feelings that may be generated every time his name is mentioned, here's a gentle reminder that there are some things that involve talent pure and simple - bike handling skill after Beloki's terrible fall.

 

[Noodley]

...and if your dog had cancer and got better, it had nothing to do with him btw

 

[asterix]

It's very sad. I don't find Armstrong a likeable character but he was inspirational and gave people a lot of enjoyment. It would be so much better if the case was 'open and shut' but it's an open wound that does cycling no favours.