LANCE ARMSTRONG, until recently the poster boy for international cycling, has suffered the most devastating blow to his image so far after the international cycling association, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), stripped him off all his seven Tour de France titles. On October 21, Pat McQuaid, president of the association, said that Armstrong, the sports biggest star for more than a decade, no longer had a place in cycling. His statement came two weeks after the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced that there was overwhelming evidence that Armstrong had indulged in a most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme.
Among those who spilt the beans on Armstrong were dozens of his mates on the U.S. Postal Services and Discovery Channel cycling teams. The USADA investigations revealed that doping was widespread and very few cyclists on the international circuit were untainted.
Piling on to Armstrongs professional and financial discomfiture, the French Cycling Federation asked him to return the prize money of $4 million he won on the French circuit. This amount is peanuts compared with the millions he received over the years from big companies as endorsement deals and for his cancer foundation. Armstrong, a cancer survivor, was a role model not only for the youth but also for those who successfully battled cancer. He announced that he was stepping down from the chairmanship of his foundation, Livestrong, but said that he would remain involved in its working. Livestrong has contributed $470 million so far into helping those battling cancer.
Many of Armstrongs erstwhile corporate backers are now thinking of suing him for betrayal of trust. Companies such as Nike and RadioShack have deserted Team Armstrong. Until a few months ago, Armstrong used to threaten law suits against those who doubted his integrity. Allegations against Armstrong and his teammates using banned substances had surfaced years ago but the American had covered his tracks successfully. The UCI had tested Armstrong 218 times but failed to find any evidence of doping. The USADA had been critical of other anti-doping agencies and the UCI for allowing Armstrong a free run for such a long period. The disgraced champion continued to deny using illegal substances despite the substantial evidence to the contrary.
John CherianCOMMents
COMMents
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