Free Lance Armstrong — again.
The haters could never prove anything during the cyclist’s career. They sure tried. More than 500 drug tests and not one positive. The haters said Armstrong was using a masking agent. Well, accusations gone unproven are worthless.
Yet, the seven-time Tour de France champion is once more under scrutiny despite retiring from racing. The haters just can’t let go.
This is nonsense.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency says it has more than 10 witnesses who will swear to seeing Armstrong doping between 1998 and 2011. No word on the immunity those witness will receive for any misdoings, but a compensated witness is worthless, and this whole case is a vendetta against a man who refuses to yield. Where was the witness from 1998 during previous allegations against Armstrong? It doesn’t pass the smell test.
Livestrong Lance. Don’t let these jackals beat you.
Armstrong was given until June ?22 to respond in writing to the allegations. Eight days to prepare a defense. This isn’t a speeding ticket. This charge could change the lives of thousands of cancer survivors that Armstrong’s Livestrong charity supports by scaring off donors via doping allegations. Armstrong should have more than a long week to submit evidence for a hearing that will come before Nov. 1.
Federal investigators recently ended a two-year investigation over doping allegations. Those investigators used endless resources, were as aggressive as Black Friday shoppers and still couldn’t find anything. Yet, some industry panel has it all lined up?
Let’s just say Armstrong cheated. The statute of limitations ended upon his retirement. There’s nothing the USADA can do aside vacate his victories, which means very little. People know Armstrong is the true champion.
Major League Baseball didn’t sanction Barry Bonds because it lacked hard evidence. Suspicions don’t count. Bonds’ post-career legal troubles came from lying to federal investigators, not taking steroids. Many people, including myself, still consider Hank Aaron the true home run champion, but that’s a personal choice.
Armstrong is now banned from his new passion of international Ironman events pending the USADA’s ruling. It definitely cuts into fundraising. Livestrong has raised more than $325 million and received a top rating by industry watchdogs. This cannot be diminished by haters trying one last desperate move against a true national hero.
If someone in your family has cancer, do you care if Livestrong’s founder was a doper? Of course not. You’re grateful for such a great organization. You sure don’t want to hear they’ve reduced help because of funding losses from this nonsense. It shows how damaging the USADA’s actions can be far beyond Armstrong.
This witch hunt needs to end, accusers shamed and Armstrong finally free to move on with his life of helping others.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
