Posted on 01/05/2013 8:19:28 AM PST by Vision
Lance Armstrong, who this fall was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles for doping and barred for life from competing in all Olympic sports, has told associates and antidoping officials that he is considering publicly admitting that he used banned performance-enhancing drugs and blood transfusions during his cycling career, according to several people with direct knowledge of the situation. He would do this, the people said, because he wants to persuade antidoping officials to restore his eligibility so he can resume his athletic career.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
“2. LA tended to get singled out because of his high profile stature.”
Sure, but that’s the way it goes with any organization. John Gotti’s going to die in prison, but his murderous hitman, Sammy Gravano, got a pass because he flipped on him.
I don’t think Gotti, or Armstrong, has any grounds to complain about that, because they put themselves in that position.
Well, in court it would be hearsay, but in print, it’s journalism :)
The Bruyneel case is looming large.
This is a complicated matter and many different organizations will have to sign off to some degree on any forthcoming “I did dope” statement from Armstrong, imo. It will be interesting to see what occurs over the next few months as this testing of the waters plays out.
Even if it’s direct testimony, “I’m considering admitting ... “ doesn’t convey any real information.
Holder will never agree to let Armstrong off the hook, wrong skin color!
Wasn’t he supposed to seek the Democrat gubernatorial nod in 2014 to run against Perry?
Oh!!! THAT Armstrong. I thought they were talking about Louis Armstrong.
(What a Wonderful World)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM
Enjoy.
What? Admit to something a non court has already found him guilty of?
Whether or not he doped he was found guilty by that “non court” and banished from pro sports for life.
So his admitting doping changes nothing in the past but may allow him to compete in the future. Depending on how bad he wants to complete may explain the “admission”.
Sure it would. It would that either he was not innocent, or that he was willing to falsely admit guilt just to obtain some material benefit.
Knowing human nature, a perfunctory mea culpa is not going to cut it. People are going to want to make a spectacle of his public shaming, probably followed by a period in the wilderness. That’s just our natural tendency when people held up as heroes disappoint us like this, we want to punish them for making us feel foolish.
The upshot for Armstrong is that everyone loves a redemption and comeback story. So if he does the right thing and can ride it out he might have some light at the end of the tunnel.
Right, it would indicate something about his character, but it still wouldn’t say anything for certain about the facts, which is what I meant by “information.”
With “said to be considering,” we can’t even say this shows he’s a cretin, whether he actually used drugs or not. However, as someone mentioned above, his relationship with Sheryl Crow is a strong point in favor of the “He’s a cretin” possibility, as well as the likelihood of drug use.
In Lance's case, even if he "admits" I am still not sure whether it is a true confession or an extortion so he can resume pro status.
The reason I'm not sure Lance doped is simply this.
He came back from Stage IV cancer using chemo.
Compared to that, even the Alpe d'Huez can be considered merely "mildly uncomfortable". That is, the pain he endured outside of cycling may have given him a psychological advantage to push harder than the other cyclists, as he had already experienced far worse than the Tour dished out -- he had a "deeper reserve".
Your mileage may vary.
Wonder if there are lawsuits chopping at the bit? i.e. economic losses on sponsors reputation.
In Lance's case, even if he "admits" I am still not sure whether it is a true confession or an extortion so he can resume pro status.
The reason I'm not sure Lance doped is simply this.
He came back from Stage IV cancer using chemo.
Compared to that, even the Alpe d'Huez can be considered merely "mildly uncomfortable". That is, the pain he endured outside of cycling may have given him a psychological advantage to push harder than the other cyclists, as he had already experienced far worse than the Tour dished out -- he had a "deeper reserve".
Your mileage may vary.
Other than the *several people*, who else knows or cares.
So let’s hear from the deniers on this forum. Crickets?
First, what kind of athletic career does he really have anymore?
And second, why would any agency re-instate him at this point?
Unless there was some behind-the-scenes negotiations.
On the other hand, if he needs the money, and if “admitting” to something doesn’t mean a criminal charge, and since he has already been “convicted” of it anyway, maybe he will feel compelled to “admit” to what he is already punished for, if it allows him to put food on the table.
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