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| Armstrong holding up seven fingers to mark his seventh Tour de France victory. |
A man with cancer that spread to the lungs and brain, beat all odds and won seven consecutive Tour de France titles. A cancer foundation founder raising millions for cancer research. Many have looked up to him as a hero beating all life obstacles. This man is Lance Armstrong. Recently, however, Armstrong was accused of "doping" and has been stripped of all titles and banned from professional cycling. According to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Armstrong had the most “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen".
26 people confirmed his drug use and testified. The report included financial payments, e-mails, scientific data and laboratory test results. According to the Washington Post there was “conclusive and undeniable proof” that Armstrong, used, possessed and distributed performance-enhancing drugs. To read more, click here.
In response to riders coming forward with information, Travis Tygart, CEO of USADA said, “in some part, it would have been easier for them if it all would just go away, however, they love the sport, and they want to help young athletes have hope that they are not put in the position they were: To face the reality that in order to climb to the heights of their sport they had to sink to the depths of dangerous cheating.”
Armstrong used EPO, testosterone, and blood transfusions throughout is momentous career. For now Lance Armstrong is seen as a liar and cheater in the eyes of America, but in ten years or so, do you think he will be remembered as the man who doped or the man, against all odds, beat cancer and won seven tour de france titles? All comments are welcome.
Armstrong used EPO, testosterone, and blood transfusions throughout is momentous career. For now Lance Armstrong is seen as a liar and cheater in the eyes of America, but in ten years or so, do you think he will be remembered as the man who doped or the man, against all odds, beat cancer and won seven tour de france titles? All comments are welcome.
While I agree that doping is a huge problem in sports and something needs to be done about it, I don't think because of it we have to view Lance as a liar and a cheater. It doesn't have to completely stop us from viewing him as a hero. It doesn't take away his strength from overcoming cancer, or all the money he raised for cancer research, and even his amazing athletic ability cannot be denied. The drugs are only preformance enhancing, it doesn't give talent to someone who never had it in the first place. Again, I am not condoning the use of drugs, but I don't think because of one action, we have to completely change our views on Lance Armstrong.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Armstrong will have a mark of shame with him for the rest of his life. From now and until the day he dies, I believe he will be known as the cancer survivor who cheated and won seven Tour de France titles. I agree with Rachel, the numerous challenges he overcame is still a great story by itself, but people truly viewed him as a hero because of his seven cycling titles.
ReplyDeleteI think this will definately keep his image tarnished well into the future, but with time I beleive people will start to forget about this and focus more on the positive things about him. I'm really torn on this because even though my respect for him has waned, he still accomplished so much, and I don't want to say it was all because of the drugs because it probably wasn't. Drugs or no drugs, I beleive he will always remain somewhat of a hero.
ReplyDeleteDo you think it was right for the officials to take away his titles?
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