I am hardly a huge fan of LA, but how many times does this have to happen before it is finally put to an end? Good grief Charlie Brown!
AUSTIN, Texas - The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is bringing doping charges against seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, threatening to strip his victories in the storied cycling race.
Armstrong 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, in a statement Wednesday, dismissed any doping allegations as "baseless" and "motivated by spite" and noted they came just months after federal prosecutors closed a two-year criminal investigation against the cyclist without bringing an indictment.
The charges by USADA were first reported by the Washington Post.
USADA's letter to Armstrong informing him of the charges 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 witnesses who aren't named in the letter.
According to USADA's letter, "numerous riders, team personnel and others 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.
It also says blood collections obtained by cycling's governing body in 2009 and 2010 are "fully consistent with blood manipulation including EPO use and/or blood transfusions." Armstrong came out of retirement to race in the Tour de France those two years.
USADA officials had said they would pursue possible charges against Armstrong even after federal criminal investigators had closed their case.
In a letter to the 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 investigation.
"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's letter said.
Tygart did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Armstrong, who has been in France training for a triathlon, maintained his innocence, saying 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."
I'm not into hero worship or
I'm not into hero worship or idols, but enough already.
Leave the man alone.
How many times can you be
How many times can you be accused of the same thing? I also think it sets a bad precedent to be banned from competition for any athlete who is under investigation. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?
"In a letter to the USADA
"In a letter to the 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 investigation."
Doesn't this have any possible 5th Amendment violations concerning double jeopardy?
Some estimate that Americans spend in excess of 20 billion a year on illegal street drugs and illegally obtained prescription meds. There are organized gangs in most towns and high schools across the country. And this is what a section of our govt. is focusing on. Silly.
Is this still news? He did.
Is this still news? He did. He didn't. Either way, I simply do not care.
TriSooner wrote:Is this
[quote=TriSooner]Is this still news? He did. He didn't. Either way, I simply do not care. [/quote]
I agree Sooner, but here's where I do start to care...
World Triathlon Corporation (Ironman) CEO Andrew Messick:
"WTC has been notified that USADA has initiated its Anti-Doping Review Board Process against Lance Armstrong to determine if there is sufficient evidence of doping during his cycling career to bring forward charges of a non-analytical nature. 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."
So I guess that means no more chance to watch Lance in Kona, no more chance for Kona coverage live, no more chance for big ratings and big advertising dollars...
Now let's see who comes out against the USADA since it's costing people money.
... Armstrong is therefore
... Armstrong is therefore suspended from competing in WTC-owned and licensed races pending further review."
.[/quote]
Really WTC? This is going to stop when Lance wants to stop. I’ll bet he will fight this up and we, the fans, will bring him to compete to Kona. There’s a lot of money for everyone, USADA, WTC, TV, advertisements, etc, etc, etc., and that will bend some rules and regulations. When Lance decides to stop competing professionally all the allegations will drop, in the meantime everybody that can, even himself, is getting a piece of the pie while it last. I am Lance Armstrong fan and I want to be like him .
this is so annoying adn
this is so annoying adn really disappointing. i was really looking forward to seeing how lance would go in france - especially the run. he was/is your best chance in kona and now we aussies will just have to compete amongst ourselves :):):) :) ! macca was just warming up.
gfd wrote:"In a letter to
[quote=gfd]"In a letter to the 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 investigation."
Doesn't this have any possible 5th Amendment violations concerning double jeopardy?
Some estimate that Americans spend in excess of 20 billion a year on illegal street drugs and illegally obtained prescription meds. There are organized gangs in most towns and high schools across the country. And this is what a section of our govt. is focusing on. Silly.[/quote]
They are not a government agency. At least our tax dollars aren't going to this nonsense.
Anton wrote:I'm not into
[quote=Anton]I'm not into hero worship or idols, but enough already.
Leave the man alone.[/quote]
+1!!
el guante wrote:gfd
[quote=el guante][quote=gfd]"In a letter to the 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 investigation."
Doesn't this have any possible 5th Amendment violations concerning double jeopardy?
Some estimate that Americans spend in excess of 20 billion a year on illegal street drugs and illegally obtained prescription meds. There are organized gangs in most towns and high schools across the country. And this is what a section of our govt. is focusing on. Silly.[/quote]
They are not a government agency. At least our tax dollars aren't going to this nonsense. [/quote]
Unfortunately, some of them are: "USADA is not a government entity, however the agency is partly funded by a U.S. federal grant through the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), with its remaining budget generated from contracts for anti-doping services with sport organizations, most notably the United States Olympic Committee." ~ Wikipedia
Armstrong's counter-suit also has the funding from tax dollars as part of it. http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Armstrong_Strikes_Back_2907.html
Part of my above point was that the head of the USADA was a major part of the Federal Govts. case against Armstrong. Seems like an abuse of the Bill of Rights, even though USADA is not a part of the govt., to go after a man's job in a court with made-up rules with information gathered from a failed Federal court case.
I don't care if he doped or didn't but the more I read about this case the more it stinks.
gfd wrote:el guante
[quote=gfd][quote=el guante][quote=gfd]"In a letter to the 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 investigation."
Doesn't this have any possible 5th Amendment violations concerning double jeopardy?
Some estimate that Americans spend in excess of 20 billion a year on illegal street drugs and illegally obtained prescription meds. There are organized gangs in most towns and high schools across the country. And this is what a section of our govt. is focusing on. Silly.[/quote]
They are not a government agency. At least our tax dollars aren't going to this nonsense. [/quote]
Unfortunately, some of them are: "USADA is not a government entity, however the agency is partly funded by a U.S. federal grant through the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), with its remaining budget generated from contracts for anti-doping services with sport organizations, most notably the United States Olympic Committee." ~ Wikipedia
Armstrong's counter-suit also has the funding from tax dollars as part of it. http://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Armstrong_Strikes_Back_2907.html
Part of my above point was that the head of the USADA was a major part of the Federal Govts. case against Armstrong. Seems like an abuse of the Bill of Rights, even though USADA is not a part of the govt., to go after a man's job in a court with made-up rules with information gathered from a failed Federal court case.
I don't care if he doped or didn't but the more I read about this case the more it stinks.[/quote]
You are correct sir. They get $10 million per year from the government! Pardon my error.
Hmmm, only $10 million per
Hmmm, only $10 million per year? Perhaps a little publicity by bringing down a public figure would boost that number around appropriation time?
I'm not a big LA fan but let it go for Pete sake. Lets look at the government versus athletes in the US.
Roger Clemons - accused of steroid use - 1st case dismissed by judge. 2nd case Not proven
Barry Bonds - accused of steriod use - Not Proven
Lance Armstrong - I've lost count
USADA should test
USADA should test politicians, see how much money USADA gets THEN.