So what is this... take 15, give or take?

[George Jung]

The United States Anti-Doping Agency is set to bring doping charges against Lance Armstrong that could lead to his being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

Lance Armstrong will not face criminal charges but could be stripped of his titles and barred from competing in triathlon events.

Armstrong, 40, called the charges “a witch hunt,” the same words he has used in the past when fighting off doping accusations that have followed him for more than a decade, including a two-year federal investigation into doping-related crimes that was dropped four months ago. This time the accuser is the antidoping agency, which does not have the power to bring criminal charges but does have the power to strip him of the accolades that helped make him a famous athlete

I don't have a handle on the who's and the why's of this story, and why it continues to resurface so often. Anyone?

[The Bigfella]

I'd say it resurfaces because the ability to detect things in retained samples improves over time. But, I might be wrong.

[George Jung]

I dunno - from what I've read, they have no new evidence - but it certainly seems there is a vendetta against him, not only from competitors, but by the investigative body. They allude to that in this article - but I haven't a clue why there are such hard feelings, and why this investigative body would be a part of this. If in fact that is true, the folks abusing their positions should be prosecuted, in my opinion.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has filed formal charges against the seven-time Tour de France winner, threatening to strip him of his victories in the storied cycling race. Armstrong, who forcefully denied the accusations, could face a lifetime ban from the sport if he is found to have used performance-enhancing drugs. The move by USADA immediately bans him from competing in triathlons, which he turned to after he retired from cycling last year.
Armstrong has been dogged by doping allegations since his first Tour victory in 1999, but had hoped his fight to be viewed as a clean champion was finally won after U.S. federal prosecutors closed a two-year criminal probe in February without bringing any charges. Armstrong has said the investigation took a heavy emotional toll and he was relieved when it ended.
But USADA officials insisted they would continue to pursue their own probe into Armstrong and his former teams and doctors, and notified him of the charges in a 15-page letter on Tuesday. Unlike federal prosecutors, USADA isn't burdened by proving a crime occurred, just that there was use of performance-enhancing drugs.
In its letter, USADA said its investigation included evidence dating back to 1996. It also included the new charge that Armstrong blood samples taken in 2009 and 2010 are ''fully consistent with blood manipulation including EPO use and/or blood transfusions.'' Armstrong came out of his first retirement to race in the Tour de France those two years.
Armstrong, who was in France while training for a triathlon, issued a statement dismissing the latest allegations ''baseless'' and ''motivated by spite.'' Even though he last won the Tour seven years ago, the 40-year-old Armstrong remains a popular if polarizing figure, partly because of his charity work for cancer patients.
USADA's letter also said the agency was bringing doping charges against Johan Bruyneel, manager of Armstrong's winning teams; team doctors Pedro Celaya and Luis Garcia del Moral; team trainer Pepe Marti, and consulting doctor Michele Ferrari.



The USADA letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, accuses Armstrong of using and promoting the use of the blood booster EPO, blood transfusions, testosterone, human growth hormone and anti-inflammatory steroids. The letter doesn't cite specific examples, but says the charges are based on evidence gathered in an investigation of Armstrong's teams, including interviews with witnesses who aren't named.
Cycling's governing body, the International Cycling Union, which collected the 2009 and 2010 samples cited in the USADA letter, said it was not involved in the anti-doping group's investigation.
According to USADA's letter, more than 10 cyclists as well as team employees will testify they either saw Armstrong dope or heard him tell them he used EPO, blood transfusions, testosterone and cortisone from 1996 to 2005. Armstrong won the Tour de France every year from 1999-2005.
During their investigation, federal prosecutors subpoenaed Armstrong supporters and ex-teammates to testify in Los Angeles. One of the most serious accusations came during a ''60 Minutes'' interview when former teammate Tyler Hamilton said he saw Armstrong use EPO during the 1999 Tour de France and in preparation for the 2000 and 2001 tours.
Early in the criminal investigation, Armstrong attorney's accused USADA of offering cyclists a ''sweetheart deal'' if they testify or provide evidence against Armstrong.
In a letter to USADA last week, Armstrong attorney Robert Luskin noted that USADA Chief Executive Officer Travis Tygart participated in witness interviews with federal investigator Jeff Novitzky during the criminal probe.
''It is a vendetta, which has nothing to do with learning the truth and everything to do with settling a score and garnering publicity at Lance's expense,'' Luskin wrote.

In a statement, Tygart said, ''USADA only initiates matters supported by the evidence. We do not choose whether or not we do our job based on outside pressures, intimidation or for any reason other than the evidence.''
Armstrong has until June 29 to file a written response to the charges. The case could ultimately go before an arbitration panel to consider evidence. The USADA letter said in that case a hearing should be expected by November.
Armstrong, maintained his innocence, saying in his 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. ...
''Any fair consideration of these allegations has and will continue to vindicate me.''

http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/cy...mstrong-061312

[George Jung]

Note the part in the second article - noting the animosity towards Armstrong because of his cancer charity. ???WTH???? why would this be???

[The Bigfella]

Note the part in the second article - noting the animosity towards Armstrong because of his cancer charity. ???WTH???? why would this be???

Perhaps you should ask the forumite here who pursues me any time I mention a charity event? Some folks have serious "issues"...

[htom]

All they can do is piss on his image, so that's what they're going to do.

[George Jung]

Agreed - but I'm curious -why? Esp. this agency now bringing the charges - American, I believe. I don't understand the animus, the apparent intent to destroy his legacy/reputation. Hamilton, I can understand - a bit green, I believe, same for other competitors.

[MiddleAgesMan]

It might be because he has always been a doper and a cheat, and got away with it.

[LeeG]

personal opinion without much analysis, Armstrong did everything required to win the TDF, training ONLY for the TDF and using a training regimen that would boost his recovery without setting off alarms, which is all that is required which many of his competitors couldn't match. His performance is as unique as his predecessors.

[johnw]

Didn't he have testicular cancer? That would mean that he's required to take supplementary testosterone. And it was after the cancer treatment that he started doing really well. So, maybe they think he took more supplementary testosterone than he had to, and are looking for ways to prove he's a cheat.

[Horace]

Didn't he have testicular cancer? That would mean that he's required to take supplementary testosterone. And it was after the cancer treatment that he started doing really well. So, maybe they think he took more supplementary testosterone than he had to, and are looking for ways to prove he's a cheat.

Probably not a fruitful hypothesis. (Here's a link to the Wiki article, with the reasons why: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testicular_cancer)

Or do you have more details of Armstrong's surgery than those which would normally be made public?

[MiddleAgesMan]

At least ten of his team mates have testified that he was a doper. They stayed silent at the time because he was very intimidating.

[S.V. Airlie]

At least ten of his team mates have testified that he was a doper. They stayed silent at the time because he was very intimidating.

How many team mates have won this race in question?I'd say their noses are out of joint. If he is found guilty, who would have ended up winning? I'd almost bet someone who came in second is one of his accusers.

[pefjr]

I have been told by those in the "Know" that Lance took advantage of his cancer and was legally using drugs for his cancer that no one else could legally take. That gave him the advantage others didn't have. Difficult to monitor. I have witnessed this same situation with a personal friend and great tennis player that had cancer. He was unbeatable until weakened by the cancer, but during the latter part of his therapy he regained his strength and for awhile became even stronger, and completely recovered today.

[Paul Pless]

I have been told by those in the "Know" that Lance took advantage of his cancer and was legally using drugs for his cancer that no one else could legally take.

Everybody has heard this theory, its not like its a big secret. . .

[pefjr]

Everybody has heard this theory, its not like its a big secret. . .

Now you have heard it twice.

[Paul Pless]

How many team mates have won this race in question?I'd say their noses are out of joint. If he is found guilty, who would have ended up winning? I'd almost bet someone who came in second is one of his accusers.

Not likely. Team mates in modern cycling serve to bolster their chosen one rider's chance of winning.

[S.V. Airlie]

Paul, okay, say he wins and a team mate comes in second.

[ljb5]

Note the part in the second article - noting the animosity towards Armstrong because of his cancer charity. ???WTH???? why would this be???

There are some allegations that the principle goal of his charity is to enrich and glorify Lance, rather than to fund cancer research or prevention. There's probably some truth to that, as Armstrong clearly has profitted from the charity.

The accusers need to get their act together. Constantly rolling out new allegations based on old samples seems sloppy.

There have been a large number of high-profile riders busted for doping. (Landis, Hamilton, Contador, Basso, all 55 Million people in Fance).

In each case, there was much more hard evidence and the accusations were more timely and credible.

[ljb5]

Paul, okay, say he wins and a team mate comes in second.

In Armstrong's seven wins, none of his teammates came in second.

[Paul Pless]

In Armstrong's seven wins, none of his teammates came in second.

or even in the top five I believe

[Old Dryfoot]

It seems to me at least, that if he has passed over 500 drug tests during his TDF career, that the USADA might now be trying to massage the criteria of a positive test to fit the negative results of said 500 negative tests.

[Greg Nolan]

There are some allegations that the principle goal of his charity is to enrich and glorify Lance, rather than to fund cancer research or prevention. There's probably some truth to that, as Armstrong clearly has profitted from the charity.

The accusers need to get their act together.

Maybe you need to get your act together -- why do you repeat the allegations about misuse of the foundation, and then say "There's probably some truth to that"?

Who have made these "some allegations"? What are the allegations based on? What motivates those making "some allegations"? What basis do you have to make the judgement "There's probably some truth to that"?

Charity Navigator gives the Lance Armstrong Foundation high marks pretty much across the board --
see http://www.charitynavigator.org/. Do you have any reason to dispute their evaluation?

[Nicholas Carey]

How many team mates have won this race in question?I'd say their noses are out of joint. If he is found guilty, who would have ended up winning? I'd almost bet someone who came in second is one of his accusers.

You don't understand team bicycle racing. It is a team sport, after all. The point man (e.g., Lance Armstrong) is intended to win: the other riders are there primarily to provide him with the tactical support necessary to make that happen.

[S.V. Airlie]

I gathered that.

[ljb5]

Maybe you need to get your act together -- why do you repeat the allegations about misuse of the foundation, and then say "There's probably some truth to that"?

Who have made these "some allegations"? What are the allegations based on? What motivates those making "some allegations"? What basis do you have to make the judgement "There's probably some truth to that"?

Charity Navigator gives the Lance Armstrong Foundation high marks pretty much across the board --
see http://www.charitynavigator.org/. Do you have any reason to dispute their evaluation?

I was referring to this article:

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor....html?page=all

They point out that Livestrong does not fund (and no longer even accepts proposals for) cancer research.

Instead, the organization focuses on "awareness," marketing and PR. A lot of which is simply putting Lance's name on products. (Lance gets paid separately by companies like Nike for endorsements ($7.5 Million/year) , which does not count as part of the Foundation's financials.)

Along the way, Lance collects hefty speaking fees for appearing all over the place. These appearances are not considered part of the Foundation's financials, but there is no doubt that the Foundation is part of Lance's appeal and he would not be getting such high fees without it.

Don't get me wrong... I like Armstrong. I think the allegations against him are weak and sloppy... and I think his foundation probably does a lot of really good work. But we're talking about huge amounts of money and an entagled relationship between Armstrong's foundation and his personal marketability and wealth.

[LeeG]

At least ten of his team mates have testified that he was a doper. They stayed silent at the time because he was very intimidating.

he does have a mean scowl

[Mad Scientist]

Maybe, just maybe, the USADA noticed that baseball players were getting hauled into Congressional hearings over performance-enhancing drugs, and the USADA is worried that Congress is 'stealing their thunder', so they felt the need to 'do something' to justify their jobs.

Or maybe I'm just too cynical.

I hope that the USADA has something more convincing than 'We don't know why he's so good; everybody says he cheats; therefore he must be guilty'.

Yes, I'm definitely too cynical...

Tom

[LeeG]

Speaking of cycling, George Hincapie is entering his 17th and final TDF this year then retiring.

[ljb5]

Hey, Lee: are you following RAAM?

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raa..._webcat_id=109

They're about 24 hours into it right now. I kinda wish there were better coverge.

What type of name is Tarzan Rides?

[LeeG]

oh hell I forgot all about that. A friend was in the race two years ago, insane race if you ask me. The solo riders have been averaging 20mph for 24hrs, that's insane.

Tour of Switzerland is on.

[purri]

Hey, Lee: are you following RAAM?

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raa..._webcat_id=109

They're about 24 hours into it right now. I kinda wish there were better coverge.

What type of name is Tarzan Rides?

Jayne?

[skuthorp]

There have been allegations re Armstrong for a great deal of his professional career, and a remarkable one it has been too. Too remarkable for some and maybe with justification. But if they chased down every professional cyclist that had used 'enhancements' in the last 20 years there wouldn't be too many of the results in the books still standing. I can't get a handle on whether there is any new evidence, or just more allegations from at least one with a not too clear record either.

[George Jung]

Agreed. What I'm trying to get a handle on is - why this dogged pursuit of Armstrong, even by the American bodies? I see absolutely no upside, which leaves 1) these are very dedicated people, willing to go to the ends of the earth, at any personal cost, to right a wrong or 2) Armstrong pisses people off more than anyone else on the planet, and they're going to get him even if it drags them and American cycling down with it.

I'm betting it's #2.

[johnw]

Additional alternatives:

1) Lance Armstrong has been investigated more than any other athlete on the planet, and the fact that he's never been shown to be cheating shows he's clean.

2) Lance Armstrong is the greatest cheater of all time, since he hasn't been caught.

Corollaries? Either "where there's smoke, there's fire," or "where there's smoke, someone is doggedly trying to start a fire in stuff that isn't very flammable."

[skuthorp]

I see the French authorities have ruled him out of their Iron Man comp already without waiting for any results. They were very quick to jump, probably still cheesed of that an American won the TDF so often.
http://gossipcenter.com/lance-armstr...man-ban-670018
And they are likely to do the same for the TDF this year it seems.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_185759.html

Like casino's banning successful gamblers, they seem not to like the competition.

[George Jung]

My understanding is Armstrong is banned from competing in any of the triathalons he was scheduled for.

What happened to 'innocent until proven guilty'? Sorry, this very much looks like someone putting a 'hit' on someone..

[htom]

This really seems to come down to "He beat me, even though I cheated, so he must have cheated too!"

[The Bigfella]

This really seems to come down to "He beat me, even though I cheated, so he must have cheated too!"

Ouch. Might just have it there.

[LeeG]

Additional alternatives:

1) Lance Armstrong has been investigated more than any other athlete on the planet, and the fact that he's never been shown to be cheating shows he's clean.

2) Lance Armstrong is the greatest cheater of all time, since he hasn't been caught.

Corollaries? Either "where there's smoke, there's fire," or "where there's smoke, someone is doggedly trying to start a fire in stuff that isn't very flammable."

Maybe Lance knows where Iraqs WMD are?

[George Jung]

Man, I hadn't thought of that.

Ol' Lance - he's good! Wonder how he's coming on The Budget.

[stevebaby]

Very interesting (but rather lengthy) interview about Armstrong using EPO.
http://velocitynation.com/content/in...chael-ashenden
If he loses his TdF wins, who will they give the titles to, given that a very large part of the peloton was also using EPO?
I find it hard to believe that Armstrong didn't at least know that members of his team (such as Landis) were juicing. Riders in the TdF travel together on the team bus, they eat together, they share rooms and they don't go out alone to socialize while on Tour. Even if they're juicing before the Tour, someone had to know, but the code of "omerta" in the peloton was very strong and it's difficult for anyone to give evidence without implicating themselves.

[LeeG]

time for bike jokes

A very devout cyclist dies and goes to heaven. Saint Peter meets him at the gate. First thing the cyclist askes is if there are bicycles in heaven.

"Sure," says St. Peter, "let me show you," and he leads the guy into the finest Velodrome you can imagine.

"This is great," the cyclist says.

"It certainly is," says St. Peter. "You will have a custom bike and the best cycling clothes you've ever seen, and your personal masseuse will always available."

As they speak a blur streaks by them on the boards riding a gold plated Cinelli.

"Wow!" the cyclist exclaims. "That guy was so fast that can only be Eddy Merckx!"

"No," says St. Peter, "that was God on the bike, he only thinks he's Eddy".

[John Meachen]

There is a science park a mile or so down the road from me that announced yesterday that they had refined a technique for detecting drug consumption to the extent that any substance ingested in the year prior to the test could be detected in a hair from the subject.As things of this type are refined there has to be the opportunity to confirm or deny suspicions about any individual who has left a sample with the testing authorities.It might just be that the improvement in detection has been announced a few weeks prior to the olympics in order to nudge the cheaters into concocting an excuse not to show up.We need to keep an eye on just which hotly favoured athletes suffer training injuries or such-like that will preclude their involvement.
As much as I dislike the idea of witch-hunts,I would hate to see a clean competitor deprived of a win by a cheat.

[George Jung]

No problem with that. But in Armstrongs case - he's spent most of his career, and post-career, under the microscope - and yet nothing. And now, yet again, charges are being brought, though there's no new evidence. And while they're 'investigating', Armstrong is deprived of any further competition. This I don't understand. The time any athlete is able to be competitive is limited. Why not allow him to compete - and in the unlikely event he's convicted, strip him of his winnings/awards? Seems he's being punished pro-actively, esp. harsh since it appears unlikely he'll be convicted. So.... punished, yet still innocent? With no recourse for correction? That's pure BS.