I'm only "against" Armstrong because of his choices--and his actions. If there were nothing to the allegations, I would agree that it could be classified as a witch hunt--but now it is obvious that this was a massive conspiracy, as the USADA report says. Many people knew about it, but because of Armstrong's power within the sport, his wealth, his aggressive legal tactics, his ability to intimidate, and the goodwill bubble around him due to his story and the Livestrong organization, he was able to avoid being caught. People came forth 10 years ago but were derided and ignored, and suffered professionally because of it. Armstrong, however, became a millionaire many times over, while hobnobbing with celebrities and visiting the White House.
But people knew he was dirty and persisted in "chasing" him. Actually, they were chasing the truth. It wasn't fair that so many others got caught, yet he got away (and in such an arrogant manner). Is it a witch hunt when we pursue organized crime or gangs because we suspect (or have evidence that) they are guilty, yet it's hard to pin it on them? No, the authorities have an obligation to do so. That is exactly why the USADA exists. When they have evidence of wrongdoing, they must follow it up. It would not be right or fair to anyone else to just drop it. And make no mistake, if you read the report and the many, many articles examining the whole affair, this was exactly like an organized crime syndicate, completely with omertà (silence and protection for all involved.)
His teammates who testified were some of his best friends--who went into battle with him for years--and who had no reason to give him up other than the fact that they were forced to. In fact, Leipheimer and Hamilton resisted, and only did so when forced to by a grand jury subpoena. (Remember, Martha Stewart went to prison not for the insider trading, but because she lied about it to a grand jury.) There was literally nothing in it for these guys--they only did it because they were forced to tell the truth. In fact, Leipheimer was fired by his team last week because of the admission and was also banned from racing for six months.
I'm a recreational roadie and I bought into the whole thing for years--I was a fan, supporter, and defender. I remember taking time off work and driving to a Nike store when he made an appearance. I, like so many others, loved his inspirational backstory of beating cancer and coming back to win against all odds. He was a golden boy--good-looking, well-spoken, a fierce competitor who beat back death and came back stronger. At some point, when so many other riders were implicated, I instinctively knew that there was no way he could be clean, yet beat all the other top riders who were doping. It just didn't pass the smell test. But I didn't want to believe it, and I hoped he never got caught. Obviously, that changed.
Read the report and the articles. Be open to the fact that they may actually be true. Read the details. There are great articles in the NY Times, ESPN, LA Times, Outside, the Sports Illustrated that just came out…the list goes on and on. Read them carefully and then see if you still think it's a witch hunt. All of his stock defenses and public rebuttals to the accusations are refuted and explained. As to the tired argument that he was tested so many times...there are numerous reasons for that. Read all about it and see if you still buy that argument.
In the end, you can't outrun (or outride) the truth.
But people knew he was dirty and persisted in "chasing" him. Actually, they were chasing the truth. It wasn't fair that so many others got caught, yet he got away (and in such an arrogant manner). Is it a witch hunt when we pursue organized crime or gangs because we suspect (or have evidence that) they are guilty, yet it's hard to pin it on them? No, the authorities have an obligation to do so. That is exactly why the USADA exists. When they have evidence of wrongdoing, they must follow it up. It would not be right or fair to anyone else to just drop it. And make no mistake, if you read the report and the many, many articles examining the whole affair, this was exactly like an organized crime syndicate, completely with omertà (silence and protection for all involved.)
His teammates who testified were some of his best friends--who went into battle with him for years--and who had no reason to give him up other than the fact that they were forced to. In fact, Leipheimer and Hamilton resisted, and only did so when forced to by a grand jury subpoena. (Remember, Martha Stewart went to prison not for the insider trading, but because she lied about it to a grand jury.) There was literally nothing in it for these guys--they only did it because they were forced to tell the truth. In fact, Leipheimer was fired by his team last week because of the admission and was also banned from racing for six months.
I'm a recreational roadie and I bought into the whole thing for years--I was a fan, supporter, and defender. I remember taking time off work and driving to a Nike store when he made an appearance. I, like so many others, loved his inspirational backstory of beating cancer and coming back to win against all odds. He was a golden boy--good-looking, well-spoken, a fierce competitor who beat back death and came back stronger. At some point, when so many other riders were implicated, I instinctively knew that there was no way he could be clean, yet beat all the other top riders who were doping. It just didn't pass the smell test. But I didn't want to believe it, and I hoped he never got caught. Obviously, that changed.
Read the report and the articles. Be open to the fact that they may actually be true. Read the details. There are great articles in the NY Times, ESPN, LA Times, Outside, the Sports Illustrated that just came out…the list goes on and on. Read them carefully and then see if you still think it's a witch hunt. All of his stock defenses and public rebuttals to the accusations are refuted and explained. As to the tired argument that he was tested so many times...there are numerous reasons for that. Read all about it and see if you still buy that argument.
In the end, you can't outrun (or outride) the truth.
