Lance Armstrong fought allegations of doping charges and commented about it in the June 2012 issue of Men’s Journal saying
“In my mind, I’m truly done. You can interpret that however you want. But no matter what happens, I’m finished. I’m done fighting. I’ve moved on. If there are other things that arise, I’m not contesting anything. Case closed (source).”
After the U.S. Attorney dropped the federal charges, Lance claimed he wouldn’t waste any more time protecting his reputation against allegations that he doped to win his 7 Tour De France. The somewhat “old wound” was reopened on wednesday when new comments were made. Instead of sitting back and letting it go as he told Men’s Journal, Lance came out swinging saying
“These charges are baseless, motivated by spite and advanced through testimony bought and paid for by promises of anonymity and immunity,” he said in a statement.
“I have never doped, and, unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one.”
Armstrong faces a passel of United States Anti-Doping Agency allegations made public on Wednesday, when The Washington Post printed excerpts from a 15-page USADA letter to Armstrong dated June 12.
Among the most hurtful allegations were Armstrong’s team doctor and team manager that stated that he was part of a doping chain with more then 10 cyclists from 2008 – 2011.
The USADA also claims that blood test from 2009 and 2010 we consistent with blood manipulation including EPO use and blood transfusions. It seems as though Lance was out to prove he could win clean but was training dirty.
In an effort to “clear the air,” Lance told Vanity Fair that ” “The years that I won the Tour, many of the guys that got second through 10th, a lot of them are gone. Out. Caught. Positive Tests. Suspended. Whatever.… And so I can understand why people look at that and go, ‘Well, [they] were caught—and you weren’t?’ So there is a nice element here where I can come with really a completely comprehensive program and there will be no way to cheat.”
Armstrong has still never tested positive for doping. However, this case has halted his run as a top triathlete in the Ironman, Hawaii. He has been banned from competition. It will also keep him from competing in the Ironman France, on June 24th.
The World Triathlon Corporation stated,
“Our rules, as stated in the WTC Professional Athlete Agreement and Waiver, dictate an athlete is ineligible to compete during an open investigation. Armstrong is therefore suspended from competing in WTC-owned and licensed races pending further review,” the statement read. WTC owns the Ironman-branded triathlons (source).
With all these allegations in the air this case seems as though it’s far from being over. Lance Armstrong will have to fight to clear his name, wipe the slate clean, and get back to competing, if possible. While no one could know the kind of stress and pressure this caliber of competition can have on an individual, we as a site, hope that Lance pulls through this, fights back and proves everyone wrong!
Adria Ali
BS, CPT, CES, PES
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