Cyclists respond to Armstrong stripped of Tour titles
Lance Armstrong is finished fighting doping allegations. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said it’s stripping Armstrong of his seven Tour De France titles and the opportunity to compete again.
“There comes a point in every man’s life when he has to say, ‘Enough is enough.’ For me, that time is now,” said Armstrong in a statement to the Associated Press.
Many attending the U.S.A. Pro Cycling Challenge reacted quickly to the news.
“He’s a target. He’s a visible target. A target that is kind of out of the game right now,” said Charlie Czarniecki President Colorado Springs cycling club.
Long-time athlete Czarniecki said he knows the extreme pressure of competition and the desire to cross the finish line first.
“We got awful fast guys in our state. I’m one of them. It is grueling especially in the last kilometer and you have to spring to be in a position to medal,” said Czarniecki.
If we can find evidence in drug tests we need to pursue that, if we can’t find the evidence we need to move on,” he said.
“Like they say in sports you cheat … no room for cheater anymore,” said Jo Anne Bly.
“Maybe I’m in minority. To me it didn’t matter to much because all his competition … second, third and fourth place have been convicted of doping as well,” said Glenn Clark.
In the meantime, Armstrong isn’t hiding. He tweeted that he’s still planning to ride in a mountain bike race in Aspen, Colo., on Saturday and follow it up with a marathon on Sunday.
Armstrong has strongly denied doping and contends USADA (yoo-SAH’-duh) was on a “witch hunt” without any physical evidence against him.
The International Cycling Union and the organization that runs the Tour de France say they want an explanation from USADA before weighing in on the matter.
Livestrong is a brand of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which was created in 1997 by the cancer survivor to support those affected by the disease. The organization known for its iconic yellow bracelets has raised more than $500 million.
The American Cancer Society CEO John R. Seffrin, PhD offered the following statement:
“The American Cancer Society and the Lance Armstrong Foundation share a mission to reduce global suffering and death from cancer, which causes one in eight deaths worldwide and is rapidly becoming a global pandemic,” said Seffrin.
“It is our hope that the Foundation will continue its important work. Reducing suffering and death from cancer is a more imperative, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s contribution is sorely needed,” said Seffrin.
