Lance Friggin Armstrong

13

Replies

  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    Lance Armstrong is a complete phony. And I have always thought so...I knew it when he divorced his wife the minute he gained some fame after she stuck thru him with his cancer thing.

    Yes, because a person's personal life and marriage has everything to do with unfounded doping allegations in cycling, and obviously you're not allowed to have marital problems if your wife stays with you while you're battling cancer. You don't know the guy, his ex wife, his current wife, etc so how could you possibly know that he's a "phony" as you say?

    A friend of mine is the Armstrong family's nanny (we live in Austin). She's always said he's a super down to earth guy. Hell, I see him around town all the time, by himself cycling or jogging on the running trails. "A phony" is probably the last thing any person around town who knows him or who has met him would describe him as.

    His love life has nothing to do with the USADA's allegations. And even if he is a total douche, that doesn't mean anything regarding his athletic career. I mean...look at Ryan Lochte, he's like the biggest douche alive but damn if he isn't an incredible athlete lol
  • NWCountryGal
    NWCountryGal Posts: 1,992 Member
    After being accused, judged and sentenced of being some rotten person who was supposedly mean to someone, I THINK that it is wrong to assume someone guilty without knowing the facts. Why do people do that. I know the answer, it is because they want to see others fall to make themselves feel higher.
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
    I listened to a lot of stuff about this during the airing of the Tour, and I finally decided that it was more likely than not that he was guilty.

    No, there was never going to be hard evidence to prove that he was, but there's too much doubt at this point to hold on to the hope that he's innocent. There are witnesses who have nothing to gain. There are explanations as to how the testing was circumvented. What really would be gained by bringing him down now, so long after the fact? Wouldn't an innocent person continue to fight?

    No hard core proof, and a heck of a lot of doubt.
    ~shrugs~

    Witnesses who have nothing to gain? Ummm how about avoiding serious consequences for their own doping, being allowed to continue to cycle, barely getting slaps on the wrist...I think that qualifies as "something to gain." And those who aren't going to get that special treatment, well, we've all had an axe to grind with somebody at some point or another, haven't we?

    I'm afraid I just don't buy into the witch hunt notion. Yeah, one or two people might want revenge, sure. But more than that? Saying 'yeah, I did it. Everyone did it, including him.' Nope. That is far more believable than 'I was perfect, even though everyone around me was doping.'

    ~shrugs~

    don't get me wrong, I always loved Armstrong. Still like the guy and am impressed with all he's done since. I just happen to think the odds are against him being innocent.
  • bhow55
    bhow55 Posts: 3 Member
    The evidence is clearly stacked against him. If he truly believes with all his heart that he never doped, then why not fight back with everything resource available. He has made millions in endorsements as a result of his dominance in cycling, which is a direct result of his performance - a performance that is alleged (possibly proven) to have been enhanced by illegal means. The prevalence of doping in cycling has been well-documented, and if this sport ever wants to clear its image from this practice, it must set examples of even it's greatest athletes, otherwise let them all do it and let the chips fall where they may.

    Lance had to make a difficult decision - either provide a clear and indisputable record of clean performances or face the wrath and humiliation of cycling authorities and doping agencies, not to mention, peer and public scorn and ridicule, which puts everything he has done or will ever do in complete jeopardy. This way, he can claim a "witch hunt" and that the USADA does not have the jurisdiction to enact these penalties, and still be able to generate funding for his foundations and businesses, which is all he can look forward to at this point. Kudos to his team of physicians, trainers and doping experts who somehow managed to help him pass over 700 mandatory screenings. More evidence is coming out in other sports on how this is achieved - it is the tip of the iceberg. Maybe there should be an investigation into that - how seemingly clean athletes can suddenly and rapidly improve their performance and recover faster even though they are passing their drug/doping screens.

    He now joins Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriquez, Ryan Braun, etc., etc., etc, Though never convicted, they have all somehow managed to make millions off the sport they participate in by clearly breaking the rules, yet never payed the full price. Lance will continue deny, deny, deny, yet in the eyes many, he is just another cheater who never came forward with the truth. What a shame....who will it be? Jose Canesco tried, but nobody took him seriously. Only time will tell.....
  • harlanJEN
    harlanJEN Posts: 1,089 Member
    he is the most tested athlete ever and has never popped positive. nuff said.

    ^^^ this
  • Lone_Wolf70
    Lone_Wolf70 Posts: 2,820 Member
    he is the most tested athlete ever and has never popped positive. nuff said.

    ^^^ this

    ^^^this...means nothing.....
  • I read about this earlier today. Perhaps I am naive or I have a soft spot for Lance? But, I want someone to prove something. All I have ever heard on this has been innuendo at best. As an American winning the Tour De France I am certain that the Europeans did absolutely every thing they could to find a smoking gun on him and found nothing provable. In addition he has already been cleared by the US Congressional committee investigation. This sounds like Floyd Landis trying to sell out his past team mates to take the pressure off of his conviction and the USADA jumping on the band wagon to get a high profile win.

    YES!! EXACTLY THIS!!! Prove it!!!!
  • Lone_Wolf70
    Lone_Wolf70 Posts: 2,820 Member
    Lance Armstrong is a complete phony. And I have always thought so...I knew it when he divorced his wife the minute he gained some fame after she stuck thru him with his cancer thing.

    Yes, because a person's personal life and marriage has everything to do with unfounded doping allegations in cycling, and obviously you're not allowed to have marital problems if your wife stays with you while you're battling cancer. You don't know the guy, his ex wife, his current wife, etc so how could you possibly know that he's a "phony" as you say?

    A friend of mine is the Armstrong family's nanny (we live in Austin). She's always said he's a super down to earth guy. Hell, I see him around town all the time, by himself cycling or jogging on the running trails. "A phony" is probably the last thing any person around town who knows him or who has met him would describe him as.

    His love life has nothing to do with the USADA's allegations. And even if he is a total douche, that doesn't mean anything regarding his athletic career. I mean...look at Ryan Lochte, he's like the biggest douche alive but damn if he isn't an incredible athlete lol

    He is super down to earth while he spent all his time running on beaches with Matthew Mcconoughey (who the heck knos how to spell it) hooking up with starlets.

    He is a PHONY
  • cubizzle
    cubizzle Posts: 900 Member
    And even if he is a total douche, that doesn't mean anything regarding his athletic career. I mean...look at Ryan Lochte, he's like the biggest douche alive but damn if he isn't an incredible athlete lol

    wow, yeah, that guy is a total douche!
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Lance Armstrong is a complete phony. And I have always thought so...I knew it when he divorced his wife the minute he gained some fame after she stuck thru him with his cancer thing.

    OMG you are SO RIGHT! Because like, you totally know what went on behind closed doors between him and his wife and you know the financial burden, emotional strain and just plain stress that a person with cancer and their family members go through while it's being treated. You don't know whether or not his wife cheated on him during his ordeal or if they were going to get a divorce before he was diagnosed with cancer. To say he's a "douche" for something that you know zero about, unless you actually lived with them or have amazing super powers where you can see what people are doing every second, is just plain ridiculous.
  • dandaninc
    dandaninc Posts: 392
    The man is a machine. Who cares if he really was doping. He has a family, an amazing business, and has helped thousands of people reach the weightloss, smoking, and other goals just by being him. He helped start a movement to lose weight and get healthy.

    Leave the man alone and let him enjoy his life.

    Yes he is a machine. Yes he might have done everything he or doctors advised him to do to be the best cyclist he could be.

    He might not have even known he was doping.

    I am a fan. I quit smoking last November cold turkey with just his livestrong app and the community associated with it.

    People need to realize that he has done so much good in his life. Let him be.
  • Scott277
    Scott277 Posts: 63
    So many things to consider

    1. Hes the most tested athlete ever and never tested positive.

    2. Are his team"mates" being bribed? Are they just jelous? Or are they jelous they got caught and he didnt? Or are they simply wanting to bring justice to the sport.........those who have actually been caught doping before obviously dont fall in the latter category.

    3. Lance isnt a quitter, hes quitting now after being through so much,
    maybe its because he knows they have the evidence against him?
    maybe its because he is fed up with it as he says?
    maybe he would rather lose his titles, and get banned for life without any evidence being provided in order to keep some respect?

    Remember people,


    HES RAISED NEARLY 500MILLION FOR CANCER RESEARCH

    Even if he is a cheat, as most of the other athletes are by the looks of it anyway. Without his high profile his "Livestrong" brand would never have raised so much money for cancer research. Doping or not, hes used it to other peoples advantage and no doubt saved so many lives with this money. Im sure all of us know someone with cancer and that kind of puts things in perspecitve, its just a sport, these things happen, im sure hundreds of other athletes go undetected and yet go out spending there money on flash cars etc not piling it into a good cause.

    P.S I think he probably did dope, even though I dont want to believe it! He really took the Tour De France to another level.
  • anneerick
    anneerick Posts: 147 Member
    The guys guilty. I am glad he's ending his fight while he still has dignity and loyal followers.
  • Scott277
    Scott277 Posts: 63
    @dan Yeh there you go, i didnt even know about the Livestrong app which also helps people to a healthier lifestyle etc much like this.
  • I find the entire thing really sad. He took hundreds of tests..you would think if he was guilty..there would be irrefutable evidence there. But..there's not.

    A long drawn out court case would eat up everything he owns, and he has a family to support, and a job to do. I agree..It was likely his only option. And that sucks!

    This.
  • _Mimi_
    _Mimi_ Posts: 233
    One last post on this topic...at least unless any new information surfaces. All I can say is that IF he doped, you may be able to argue he wasn't the greatest cyclist ever....but there will be NO doubt he was the greatest liar ever! And the greatest test cheater...and that sentence definitely took me out of the running for having the greatest grammar. :P
  • anneerick
    anneerick Posts: 147 Member
    Honestly. Do you think with ZERO evidence they would strip him.... come on people. They got something.

    Yes, Lance has done some amazing things in his life, and that's wonderful but it doesn't come into play with this subject. Same goes for the not so nice personal life issues as well. Nor the theory "if everyones doing it, I can do it"

    He tested positive to 3 tests. However, after a large donation made by Lance to the laboratory..... only 1 test could be found.
    10 of his ex -team mates at this time are willing to testify against him. Armstrong sued to block the case against him, but his suit was rejected Monday. Instead of having the world listen to ALL the testimony, he’s decided to let his legacy fall where it may.
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    Honestly. Do you think with ZERO evidence they would strip him.... come on people. They got something.

    Yes, Lance has done some amazing things in his life, and that's wonderful but it doesn't come into play with this subject. Same goes for the not so nice personal life issues as well. Nor the theory "if everyones doing it, I can do it"

    He tested positive to 3 tests. However, after a large donation made by Lance to the laboratory..... only 1 test could be found.
    10 of his ex -team mates at this time are willing to testify against him. Armstrong sued to block the case against him, but his suit was rejected Monday. Instead of having the world listen to ALL the testimony, he’s decided to let his legacy fall where it may.

    excatly...he knows they got him now and he is hoping by doing this it will leave doubt in peoples minds.. .if this went forward his legacy would be more tarnished.

    and to say he is walking away due to finances? he will never get another real endorsement again. walking away will cost him more than paying lawyer fees.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Honestly. Do you think with ZERO evidence they would strip him.... come on people. They got something.

    That type of thinking has been the downfall of many innocent men (and women).
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    Honestly. Do you think with ZERO evidence they would strip him.... come on people. They got something.

    That type of thinking has been the downfall of many innocent men (and women).

    not when it comes to PEDs
  • scubahsteve69
    scubahsteve69 Posts: 37 Member
    It's apparent that the continued investigation after dozens of failed attempts to uphold their accusations, are nothing more than attempts to salvage their feeble egos.

    Ok, so now they strip him of his 7 titles. Now what? They give the titles to the 2nd place finishers? WHOOPS! They have all been accused of doping as well! I guess the 3rd place guy will get his name in the record books with an * AND if Lance was doping, he whipped all the other dopers *kitten*.
  • jcstanton
    jcstanton Posts: 1,849 Member
    It's apparent that the continued investigation after dozens of failed attempts to uphold their accusations, are nothing more than attempts to salvage their feeble egos.

    Ok, so now they strip him of his 7 titles. Now what? They give the titles to the 2nd place finishers? WHOOPS! They have all been accused of doping as well! I guess the 3rd place guy will get his name in the record books with an * AND if Lance was doping, he whipped all the other dopers *kitten*.

    :drinker:

    ...and if he wasn't, he still whipped 'em even without the extra push. I don't know if he was or wasn't. I do know that, after thirteen years of accusations, they've never been able to prove anything beyond a shadow of doubt. In my opinion, if they can't prove anything before or during the sporting event, or immediately after (within six months) the title has been awarded, they ought not be able to go after the athlete in question at all anymore. I think it's ridiculous how much tax money has been spent on something that REALLY doesn't matter in the grand scheme.
  • bhow55
    bhow55 Posts: 3 Member
    The bigger, more important question is the proverbial " does the end justify the means?" Okay, I get it....long distance cycling is hard, really hard. You have to train beyond your capacity to endure...it's painful, grueling and there's no guarantee that all that work will pay off, especially if you know your competitor is enhancing his performance through illegal doping. Honestly, if I was in a sport where greater than 50% of the athletes are doping, than it would be hard to resist the temptation to do the same, especially if I am good enough to win and reap all the rewards that it brings. PED are only going to get better and the ability to fool the screenings equally better. Organizers and owners must reconsider the contracts and monies they throw at these athletes. Money drives everyone to extremes. Lower the money lower the abuse. Separate clean from doped like the bodybuilders do.
  • kellicruz1978
    kellicruz1978 Posts: 170 Member
    I definately do NOT think he should be stripped of his titles. He has not been PROVEN guilty!
  • slkehl
    slkehl Posts: 3,801 Member
    I think he's guilty. But it's just an opinion. I don't think choosing not to fight the charges points to guilt. He's been battling accusations for so long, and I can see why he'd be sick of it. This is, however, an excellent move for him if he did indeed cheat. We will never know...
  • SilkyHotspur
    SilkyHotspur Posts: 233 Member
    Guilty here's why. RadioShack team manager this year is the same manager that Armstrong had during his time with US Postal. He was not at the Tour de France, so you know he rolled over. Everyone of Lance's "super domestiques" all tested positive when they left and went to ride for other teams. US Postal had more money than any other team, and could buy their way into the best EPO money could buy...they were simply better at cheating than anyone else.

    Now, am I saddened by this..no. Everyone of the top competitors in that era was doping....every single one. Cycyling Federations knew it but did nothing as it was attracting more fans and sponsors to the sport, the same way baseball knew. As everyone was doping the playing field is level, and he still the best rider out there.

    Since that era, cycling has got on a white horse now, and proclaimed doping is bad...essentially turning their backs on the athletes that boosted a marginal sport into a global commodity.

    Is doping bad, obviously it is...but lets not vilify the athletes, when they were doing exactly what everyone wanted them to do..put it all on the line, and win.
  • dayone987
    dayone987 Posts: 645 Member
    Guilty here's why. RadioShack team manager this year is the same manager that Armstrong had during his time with US Postal. He was not at the Tour de France, so you know he rolled over. Everyone of Lance's "super domestiques" all tested positive when they left and went to ride for other teams. US Postal had more money than any other team, and could buy their way into the best EPO money could buy...they were simply better at cheating than anyone else.

    Now, am I saddened by this..no. Everyone of the top competitors in that era was doping....every single one. Cycyling Federations knew it but did nothing as it was attracting more fans and sponsors to the sport, the same way baseball knew. As everyone was doping the playing field is level, and he still the best rider out there.

    Since that era, cycling has got on a white horse now, and proclaimed doping is bad...essentially turning their backs on the athletes that boosted a marginal sport into a global commodity.

    Is doping bad, obviously it is...but lets not vilify the athletes, when they were doing exactly what everyone wanted them to do..put it all on the line, and win.

    The the fact that everyone was doping doesn't really level the playing field unless they were all using the same drug and doses.
    And unless someone slipped them the drugs, they are adults that ultimately made the decision to cheat and thus should be held accountable for their actions.They took the money and the glory and they can take the consequences; not feeling sorry for them.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    He was tested & never found guilty of any doping.


    It would be like being put into jail for never committing a crime & there not being any evidence to link you to it at all.



    Why did anyone not say anything AT the time of this alleged doping? Nope only now.... cause they are gutless pricks who are out to cause trouble
  • catch622
    catch622 Posts: 18
    I just want to say this;

    First - Cycling is a completely corrupt and dirty sport.
    Second - I don't care if he did, or didn't. I will choose to believe he didn't though because there is no evidence showing he did.
    Third - Even if he did, pretty much everyone else did too, anyway.
    Fourth - With or without the drugs what this man has accomplished is an inspiration to millions. He's my hero.

    Whenever I'm exercising I honestly think to myself, if Lance Armstrong can be almost dead and comeback from that... and push himself to the levels he did to become a world class athlete (drugs or not), why can't I push myself a little harder?

    TLDR: I don't care if he did, he's still a great inspiration for his cancer story alone.
  • slkehl
    slkehl Posts: 3,801 Member
    After a long talk with my dad, who has crazy in depth sports knowledge, I'm convinced. He doped.

    What I didn't understand before is that now they are going back and testing OLD samples with BETTER tests. The ones they had back when he was around were easy to fool, which is why he had so many positives. Not to mention every last guy on his US Postal team has tested positive and his former teammates all say he was in the middle of it. He plays the victim quite well, but doping charges are serious, and there's a whole lot of evidence and accusations by credible people.

    This is a good move for him. If he were to fight the charges, a la Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, things could get ugly. Now there's no trial, and people don't care. Many people only watched cycling because he was in it. It's not a sport many are passionate about.