Lance Armstrong

[Pfeife]

It was proven that Lance Armstrong has used forbidden steroids several times, an old urine probe of him from 1999, which was freezed at that time so it could be analysed later with better technologies, was tested positive.
Serveral former cooperators, which were members of his team, have accussed him directly and indirectly of doping.
Besides, the whole story is so unrealistic, it's laughable:
A man, which is a very mediocre cyclist first, becomes ill and gets cancer, after his recovery he turns out to be the reputed best bicyclist out there and dominates the sport as noone before did.
Who ever really believed that he achieved that with fair methods?
He was getting supervised by the Italian doctor Ferrari who was already convicted of providing sportsmen with illegal substances before.

What I am asking myself is: why is Armstrong still referred to as a "hero" by some people? He is a cheater, that's all.

If you ask me, 95% of all professional bicyclists are taking drugs and that's why I can't take this sport seriously (just as many other contests at the Olympic games), I am just wondering why many people seem to ignore that Lance is just one of many other cheaters and doesn't deserve to be referred to as a good sportsman.

And yes, I know that happened already serveral months before but I just had to start this thread because someone in this forum here posted Lance Armstrongs case as "greatest comeback" ever.

[zamphir66]

If 95% percent of them are cheating, then the playing field is level; yet Lance still wins. Mediocre? Absolutement Non!

[Pfeife]

If 95% percent of them are cheating, then the playing field is level; yet Lance still wins. Mediocre? Absolutement Non!

So he can be proud because he is using better drugs and steroids than the others?

[Blue Lightening]

thats discusting to hear but i think he provides a huge amount of hope to everyone suffering from things like cancer. still, he deserves to be labeled a fraud.

[navid]

to overcome cancer and still take a risk using steroids? thats gotta be worth something

[jn_powell]

Does anyone have any proff of this other than claims by French newspapers? On the other hand, if you cannot trust French journalists when it comes to American athletes kicking French ass in a primarily European sport played in France, then who can you trust. [/sarcasm] Seriously, as of this moment there is nothing but allegations and if there was this proof everyone is claiming exists why has it not been released to the major American media, who, by the way, would eat it up like rabid dogs and crush Lance Armstrong like a bug. Armstrong is one of the most tested athletes in the world and these allegations without absolute proof are nothing but attempts to ruin his reputation by degrading his character and should result in Armstring suing the shit out of the accusers. Armstrong dominates because of his conditioning, his increased lung capacity resulting in performance at high altitudes, and his superb cardiovacular fitness.

[Blue Lightening]

Does anyone have any proff of this other than claims by French newspapers? On the other hand, if you cannot trust French journalists when it comes to American athletes kicking French ass in a primarily European sport played in France, then who can you trust. [/sarcasm] Seriously, as of this moment there is nothing but allegations and if there was this proof everyone is claiming exists why has it not been released to the major American media, who, by the way, would eat it up like rabid dogs and crush Lance Armstrong like a bug. Armstrong is one of the most tested athletes in the world and these allegations without absolute proof are nothing but attempts to ruin his reputation by degrading his character and should result in Armstring suing the shit out of the accusers. Armstrong dominates because of his conditioning, his increased lung capacity resulting in performance at high altitudes, and his superb cardiovacular fitness.

of course. in fact, the first i heard of this was actualy this thread. BUT if he did take steroids then he should be named and shamed and beaten in the streets...well maybe not that last one. :)

[Pfeife]

Does anyone have any proff of this other than claims by French newspapers? On the other hand, if you cannot trust French journalists when it comes to American athletes kicking French ass in a primarily European sport played in France, then who can you trust. [/sarcasm] Seriously, as of this moment there is nothing but allegations and if there was this proof everyone is claiming exists why has it not been released to the major American media, who, by the way, would eat it up like rabid dogs and crush Lance Armstrong like a bug. Armstrong is one of the most tested athletes in the world and these allegations without absolute proof are nothing but attempts to ruin his reputation by degrading his character and should result in Armstring suing the shit out of the accusers. Armstrong dominates because of his conditioning, his increased lung capacity resulting in performance at high altitudes, and his superb cardiovacular fitness.

Jesus, please stop thinking in this stupid "the Europeans hate us and that's why they accuse us of taking drugs"shit, because it's not true.
I am European myself (German to be exact), and I always had an high opinion about Lance Armstrong. I would have prefered if our guy (Jan Ulrich) would have won the tour, but I saw Armstrongs dominance and started to put up with his superiority, untill the proves of his cheating were revealed.

The proves are not "claims" by French newspapers, they are documents which prove free of doubt his guilt.

About Armstrong being the most tested athlete: yes he was, but athletes which are treated by doctors because of a certain illness (asthma for instance, or cancer as in Armstrongs case) are also allowed to use such kind of medicine, which count as doping for healthy athletes and are therefore forbidden.
Armstrong used much more of medicaments than what would normally be needed for his illness, he "abused" his illness to be able to use forbidden hormones and steroids.

If you doubt what I'm saying, I suggest you to google a bit (Armstrong + doping), or read the book LA confidential, were several of his former team members affirm his doping.

Oh and by the way, Armstrong admitted (after researches by some newsmagzines) that he was supervised by Ferrari, a man which already has been to court serval times because he provided sportsmen with illegal substances.

[Pfeife]

here some links for you:

Armstrong doctor banned (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/3708036.stm)

LA Confidential: former team mates confirm Armstrongs doping (http://www.tdfblog.com/2004/06/la_confidential.html)

Tour chief "Armstrong doping proven fact" (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-08/24/content_471898.htm)

[Wu-tang]

Shut the fuck up Frenchie. And I don't care that your German, you're still a faggot.


How come they took 17 urine samples from him and 6 were proven positive. What the hell about the other 11? Our technology isn't the greatest right now. And you know, when he had cancer. He had to use drugs to battle it. For fucks sake shut the hell up. These accusations aren't even new.

[jn_powell]

Jesus, please stop thinking in this stupid "the Europeans hate us and that's why they accuse us of taking drugs"shit, because it's not true.

Perhaps because it is, in large part, true. One only needs to spend a few minutes surfing the CE forum to find evidence of strong anti-American sentiment by the majority of our European members. That being said, I was not referring to all of Europe, just France, and in particular the French media and those in and around the sport of cycling. I suppose getting your ass handed to you by a cancer survivor year after year will make you a little resentful. Armstrong has to deal with threats to his safety every year that he rides in the Tour. Claiming there is not a strong anti-American sentiment in France means you are doing only one thing, and that is fooling yourself.
here some links for you:

Armstrong doctor banned (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/3708036.stm)
Your point? This is nothing but allegations with zero...I repeat, zero proof. I found this rather interesting.
But the Italian, who has worked with many top cyclists including Lance Armstrong, was acquitted of distributing drugs to leading riders.
LA Confidential: former team mates confirm Armstrongs doping (http://www.tdfblog.com/2004/06/la_confidential.html)
Holy shit...someone writing a book. I wonder how much money they will make off of this book by simply making allegations with no proof to back them up. This book also claims he bought the 1993 triple crown. This book is nothing more than another attack on his character. Even if I give you the fact that he had EPO in his system 6 years ago, that still won't win you the TDF back to back to back to back to....well you get the point. I think he should ride again this year just kick ass one more time, stopping and giving a blood test at the end of every stage just to prove these whiney asses wrong.
Tour chief "Armstrong doping proven fact" (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-08/24/content_471898.htm)
Interesting. So we have anonymous test which only one group says they can positively match to Armstrong, even thought they are, as I said, supposed to be anonymous. On top of that, there are questions of legality in keeping and using those old samples. This is all nothing new.