Archives > Real Life Discussion
Lance Armstrong
Al:
Cba to write my own opinion atm, but I'll take this off a comment page because it's similar to what I think.
"Lance passed the tests he was required to pass and won the titles per the rules."
Chilli:
I think he is a real disgrace to the sport, Cycling wont be the same for years now, More so in america for how much agro he has caused
Mojo:
--- Quote from: Al on October 22, 2012, 08:19:12 pm ---"Lance passed the tests he was required to pass and won the titles per the rules."
--- End quote ---
He passed the test, because science can't detect performance enhancing drugs very well. But he didn't play by the rules. I agree with Chilli I'm afraid.
Owen:
Just had a quick read on the wiki about the allegations against him.
Seems to me, from the brief read I had, that he took substances he knew were undetectable at the time, but later on when the same samples were re-tested with new techniques and were found positive, he's unwilling to admit, but won't appeal decisions in an attempt to martyr himself.
Unfortunately, performance enhancing drugs are a huge reality in all sports today, and there's an almost arms race between the people who develop said drugs, and the testing procedures to identify them.
*IF* he had knowingly and willingly taken performance enhancing substances (whether they were detected at the time or not) then yes, he deserves to be stripped of his titles.
Keith:
I know all about this shit, I bike, race etc.
So, lets be clear on one thing; It wasn't just Lance, or him and a few select others. It was nearly the entire professional biking community. They didn't hide it from each other, they did it together and encouraged it between each other. It became the only way to compete at that level (at least to them). Regardless of the drug use, he could've kicked me, or anyone I know (or you know)'s ass in biking, and still could. So could all of those other guys even without any drug use. They're still incredible athletes, they all just made poor decisions. As far as stripping him of his wins go, I'm in between. I think on one Tour de France 20/21 podium winners admitted to doping at some point. He still would've been the best (possibly) minus the doping, but there's no real evidence to say so. The whole professional cycling thing was screwed on all levels, even amateur levels, during the years of his dominance. Now it's much cleaner, but obviously the issue isn't completely gone.
I can't say if he deserves it or not. They all deserve it, but only he would be really shat on by it, so it's unfair. But in the same sense, he shouldn't have given in to peer pressure and done it in the first place. It's too complicated to deal with!
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