Lance Armstrong Fired!!! (2 Viewers)

mikemiller1955

mikemiller1955

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so sad...but it had to happen...don't know if anyone caught the related story on Yahoo sports last week...

Lance Armstrong: the Greatest Fraud in U.S. Sports' History?

http://www.mensfitness.com/leisure/sports/lance-armstrong-the-greatest-fraud-in-us-sports-history

and this was on there today...................

Lance Armstrong steps down as head of Livestrong; Nike terminates contract


The Lance Armstrong story, and fallout, continues. On Wednesday morning, multiple reports indicated that Armstrong will be stepping down as head of his Livestrong cancer foundation.

This is a major public relations blow for Armstrong; Livestrong's trademark yellow bracelets are omnipresent at fitness events, and even people unconcerned with whether Armstrong retains his seven Tour de France titles can understand and appreciate the impact of an organization devoted to improving cancer awareness and research.

The move is the latest in a wave of bad news for Armstrong, whom the United States Anti-Doping Agency has painted as the kingpin and mastermind of a complex international doping ring. Armstrong has maintained his innocence throughout the entire investigation.

The problem for Livestrong is that Armstrong has, by association, begun to tarnish the foundation's name. "Livestrong" adorns a soccer stadium in Kansas City, and calls have begun for the stadium to distance itself from the organization.

And perhaps this move by Armstrong is a step in that direction. Perhaps this is a way of separating the scandal surrounding Armstrong from the mission of Livestrong. If that's the case, this is a worthy and appropriate move on Armstrong's part.

However, the bad news for Armstrong continues to roll on. Shortly after the news broke about his decision to step down from Livestrong, Nike released a statement severing its connection with Armstrong:

Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we have terminated our contract with him. Nike does not condone the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in any manner. Nike plans to continue support of the Livestrong initiatives created to unite, inspire and empower people affected by cancer.
 
The cheating is bad enough, but to bald face lie about it for years on end is unbelievable. The egos of people like Roger Clemens, Lance Armstrong is truly amazing. These guys should be shunned by society.
 
People -- and this is just not celebrities -- never seem to realize that lies eventually get exposed.
 
jazzeum said:
People -- and this is just not celebrities -- never seem to realize that lies eventually get exposed.
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you know...you may be right...maybe it's just the lying that kills them...

Nike took back Tiger and Vicks after their scandals...

MLB forgave Petit when he fessed up...

maybe the lying is just the final straw that aggravates people and makes them wash their hands of you...
 
Very very sad indeed, all those people who worshipped him over all those years as a sporting legend. They must be pretty mad at all this.

Rob
 
When you admit your mistakes, people tend to be very forgiving, as with Pettit. Tiger sought help. Clemens never backed down and is generally reviled as is Bonds.
 
Being a keen cyclist its the detriment this has caused to the sport thats the real blow in all of this. I wonder if it will ever shake of this whole misrable affair? No sympathies whatsoever for a cheat and a liar at all but, as with most they sure have some nerve and front to continue their charade. Perhaps, they actually believe the bull they are spouting
Mitch
 
jazzeum said:
When you admit your mistakes, people tend to be very forgiving, as with Pettit. Tiger sought help. Clemens never backed down and is generally reviled as is Bonds.
Click to expand...

Very true Brad, but I wonder how forgiving they will be in this case, its got to be one of the biggest scandals to hit sport in history, listening to the stories of alleged blood transfusions etc is just jaw dropping.

Rob
 
I'm sure his public relations people are advising him to eventually apologize and hope with the passage of time that this blows over. Most things do. But that doesn't cut it. He knew he was cheating and repeatedly lied to cover it up. Even if he comes clean it's only to make the best of a bad situation for himself. His actions demonstrate that his only regret is getting caught not that he lied or cheated.
 
I would not like to see Armstrong make any comeback after all the damage he caused.
 
So now we have seven new winners,wonder how they feel where they drug free.
The whole sport has taken a huge step backwards.
 
I'm not a huge cycling fan but I do watch the Tour de France pretty religiously and this is just a prevalent problem. Alberto Contador, the 2010 winner was stripped of his title and just finished serving a ban. Frank Schleck had to withdraw midway through the 2012 race because of doping concerns and Floyd Landis was stripped of his 2006 title. Not that this is an excuse but the physical challenges of riding 150 or so miles a day in July is quite a temptation for some, not to mention the money you can garner if you win.
 
jazzeum said:
I'm not a huge cycling fan but I do watch the Tour de France pretty religiously and this is just a prevalent problem. Alberto Contador, the 2010 winner was stripped of his title and just finished serving a ban. Frank Schleck had to withdraw midway through the 2012 race because of doping concerns and Floyd Landis was stripped of his 2006 title. Not that this is an excuse but the physical challenges of riding 150 or so miles a day in July is quite a temptation for some, not to mention the money you can garner if you win.
Click to expand...

Same here Brad, don't follow it the rest of the year but am glued to the tv for the Tour. Very much enjoy the drama and tactics a great deal, not to mention some stunning French scenery.

Rob
 
Brad...

I think what the sport did was wrong in not giving lifelong bans immediately when testing etc was proved positive. I understand what your saying about the temptations and, how hard it is cycling at that level is. I only managed 60 miles per day when I was cycling properly and that was quite hard but, when someone decides to go down the route and cheat it shows, as well as a culmination of the circumstances you mention, something rather weak and cynical in their character. Not only are you cheating your peers but, yourself as your really admitting your not that good and never will be without supplemental aids.

The sport and any sport should take an absolute stance no ifs or buts. It has lost a lot of respect and damaged its integrity by acting in a rather weak fashion. Nobody really seems to have any faith in the sport at the moment.
Mitch


jazzeum said:
I'm not a huge cycling fan but I do watch the Tour de France pretty religiously and this is just a prevalent problem. Alberto Contador, the 2010 winner was stripped of his title and just finished serving a ban. Frank Schleck had to withdraw midway through the 2012 race because of doping concerns and Floyd Landis was stripped of his 2006 title. Not that this is an excuse but the physical challenges of riding 150 or so miles a day in July is quite a temptation for some, not to mention the money you can garner if you win.
Click to expand...
 
wow...justice was swift...I guess he deserved this...what an embarrassment to the biking sport...

Lance Armstrong's final escape route was closed to him on Monday, with his complete fall from sporting grace confirmed by the international chiefs of his own sport.

The UCI, cycling's world governing body, upheld the findings of a thorough and ****ing report by the United States Anti-Doping Agency that accused Armstrong of masterminding a doping strategy that involved prohibited drugs, blood transfusions and elaborate schemes to fool testing authorities.

At a media conference Monday, cycling leaders revealed the 41-year-old will be banned from competitive cycling for life and stripped of the seven Tour de France titles he won between 1999 and 2005, leaving the Texan no more outs except perhaps disclosure of the long-awaited complete story.

"This is the biggest crisis cycling has ever faced," said UCI president Pat McQuaid. "This was an enormous sophisticated cheating program."


Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned for life by the UCI. (Reuters file)Monday's events seemed to be the last piece in the puzzle, as there had been some doubt as to whether the much-criticized UCI would finally turn its back on Armstrong and reverse its long-standing support of him.

McQuaid dismissed claims in the USADA report that Armstrong had bribed the UCI to ignore a positive test back in 2001, but he was otherwise steadfast in his condemnation of actions that have further tarnished the sport's already-troubled image.

While cycling faces an uphill battle to restore its credibility, that fight has already been lost for Armstrong, with the crumbling of the reputation of a man who created cycling history and inspired millions with his recovery from cancer is now complete.

Though the reception he received at an event over the weekend in Austin, Tex., for his Livestrong charity, proved many still appreciate his fight against the insidious disease, his sponsors have deserted him like rats fleeing a sinking ship and untold fans feel cheated by evidence that his extraordinary athletic exploits were fueled by malfeasance.

The only option left that could tilt some public sympathy back in his favor would be to come clean – to admit that just like the now-ironic title of his autobiography, "It's Not About the Bike," it was the substances and medical processes that propelled him to those famous triumphs on the roads of France.

If coming clean was never an option for Armstrong before, because there was simply too much to lose, perhaps it is now. Because it all seems to be either gone or going: all the titles, all those endorsement contracts, and his once-pristine name.
 
I haven't thought much of him, character-wise, since he dumped his wife for Sheryl Crow.
 
Watched it all on the news today, bye bye Lance!

Rob
 
As some have asked, what now? Will he continue to deny and become a pariah, somewhat like Pete Rose? Will he finally admit guilt and perhaps be forgiven? One thing for sure, if he ever admits guilt and writes the full story for publication, it will sell well. -- Al
 
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