Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has given up the fight to defend himself against accusations of anabolic steroid and performance-enhancing drug (PED) use. In a recent interview with Josh Eells of Men’s Journal magazine, Armstrong made no effort to deny using steroids, EPO or any other prohibited PED. He indicated that he will not contest any new charges or investigations involving allegations of doping by the Tour the France champion.
“But no matter what happens, I’m finished. I’m done fighting,” Armstrong told Eells. “I’ve moved on. If there are other things that arise, I’m not contesting anything. Case closed.”
Armstrong claimed he will not even fight the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) if they move to strip him of his seven Tour de France titles.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t run around bragging, feeling like I have to be a seven-time Tour de France champion,” he answered. “I worked hard for those, I won seven times and it’s great. But it’s over.”
Armstrong appeared to have come to terms with the possibility that USADA could strike many of his cycling accomplishments if it concludes that Armstrong used banned performance-enhancing drugs or practices.
USADA’s Travis Tygart has promised that his agency will spend as much taxpayer money as it takes to pursue Lance Armstrong.
“Clean athletes and those that value the integrity of sport can rest assured that USADA will leave no stone unturned to obtain the evidence to reveal the truth, whatever that truth may be in our investigation of the doping allegations in the sport of cycling,” said Tygart in an interview with Cyclingnews.com.
Armstrong’s remarks are uncharacteristic. The retired professional cyclist has aggressively defended himself against doping allegations during his career and during the federal government’s investigation of Armstrong and the USPS pro cycling team. He has gained a reputation for the ruthless attacks on the credibility of former teammates who have accused him of using steroids and/or performance-enhancing drugs.
Why has Lance Armstrong, who has not given up fighting anything, decided to stop fighting?
Lance Armstrong - 2010 Tour de Franc. Photo credit: Millard Baker
Source:
Stokes, S. (May 10, 2012). Lance Armstrong appears to suggest he won’t fight expected USADA doping case. Retrieved from http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/11835/Lance-Armstrong-appears-to-suggest-he-wont-fight-expected-USADA-doping-case.aspx
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