In Reversal, Armstrong Is Said to Weigh Admitting Drug Use

NY Times ^ | 1/5/13 | JULIET MACUR

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

No argument there - he made himself a lightening rod. And I don’t know that he’s complained about that. It’s just that some folks may get the false impression that he’s the only one who did it. Or not. Not sure what the majority of people think these days. Some even still think he’s clean.

[Vision]

Maitre Jacques had it right, after all. He refused tests. He bullied the testers. When asked about drugs he said “one can’t ride the Tour on mineral water.” And he was right. I still don’t understand how I, as an aging racer, can take all sorts of pain and recovery drugs if I so much as scratch my ankle on a crank, but the men who ride the most grueling race in the world can be crucified over eating tainted beef - or for that matter socializing with Dr Ferrari (who by the way stands by Lance.) You asked about the “deniers on this forum,” Cat, and I say that I am one. I deny the prissy authorities and their stolen god Tom Simpson the right to control the Tour. I deny the notion that Lance is “guiltiest of all,” or “guilty at all” for that matter, until I see irrefutable proof of a POSITIVE A AND B TEST. And I deny the likes of the New York Times to presume that this non-news is even a story. I think it’s time, once again, for the riders and teams to take back the Tour.

lol, well the proof is out there. Read The Secret Race and get up to speed and then come on back.

[Baynative]

I'm with you all the way, except that I've altered my perception of Lance since this potential admission on his part became news. I would not have wavered if he stood his ground.

I've always said that pro sport is entertainment and what ever the athletes are willing to do to give the fans what they want and realize fame and fortune in the process is their choice. Knowing the physical risks the majority will sell their souls time and time again. So what? We gave up the holier than thou persona when we went with the idea of pros in the Olympics. There's nothing left that hasn't been tainted.

US Hockey Team coach Herb Brooks after beating the Russians and winning the gold medal at Lake Placid:
"I've often been asked in the years since Lake Placid what was the best moment for me. Well, it was here - the sight of 20 young men of such differing backgrounds now standing as one. Young men willing to sacrifice so much of themselves all for an unknown. A few years later, the U.S. began using professional athletes at the Games - Dream Teams. I always found that term ironic because now that we have Dream Teams, we seldom ever get to dream. "

[~Pandora]

I think the same way.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Was he doing well enough to actually win any real money? Is there any real money in triathalons?

It seems his real money was in endorsements, and I don’t see him getting new endorsements if he claims he cheated before. In fact, I could see endorsers suing him to get money back.

[patriotspride]

I wanted to believe that his physiology gave him an edge, but it now is
clear there was some enhancement going on.

To me, keep quite Lance.

You lost your dignity, credibility, and respect.

Those of us who honored your courage, now want you to do us a favor
and fade into oblivion.

My wife and I are cancer survivors , so we know of your pain, and will to live.

You offered a symbol for all of us, and now you are a shell of that bigger than
life hero and encouragement.

Go away please.

[Vision]

Just to give you some insight you may not have. Doping gives you an edge as it keeps your body from breaking down, mostly during long races. It does this in a few ways, the most important is by maintaining a high level of oxygen in your blood. There was doping in the TdF (and all European cycling) way before Armstrong got there. But Armstrong took it to a level nobody had seen before.

Anyway, I want to let you know, given your history, Armstrong's story would still have been great without the drugs. He would not have won as he did, possibly never been a international name, but overcoming cancer was/is possible.

[patriotspride]

Just to give you some insight you may not have. Doping gives you an edge as it keeps your body from breaking down, mostly during long races. It does this in a few ways, the most important is by maintaining a high level of oxygen in your blood. There was doping in the TdF (and all European cycling) way before Armstrong got there. But Armstrong took it to a level nobody had seen before.
Anyway, I want to let you know, given your history, Armstrong’s story would still have been great without the drugs. He would not have won as he did, possibly never been a international name, but overcoming cancer was/is possible.

---

Thanks for the commentary.

My concern is that he leveraged his cancer survivorship through his cycling
excellence.

Now we find out it’s due to drug enhancements.

I would have respected Lance just as much as a participant/ non winner as you have pointed out, but now am left with the disappointment that he deceived
me into believing he had done both by becoming a cycling legend.

[Vision]

Lance Armstrong Will Ask Oprah for Absolution, Forgiveness in Interview

Ha ha!

[CharlesWayneCT]

Now that would be hilarious.

Does Oprah even HAVE a show anymore?

It would be like Lance to think Oprah is God.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Of course, again this is a prediction about the future. It wouldn’t be the first time someone got scheduled on a show and then it didn’t turn out the way people thought.

I still don’t expect a confession could get him back into professional sports, and a clean admission would be a disaster because of various court cases. So it would be surprising.

If the story is true, we’ll know on January 17.

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

What a dick.