Bringing Down Lance Armstrong

4 Responses to Bringing Down Lance Armstrong

1. Joe Lillard says:

   August 28, 2012 at 1:49 am

   I am amazed there is not more outrage against the doping agency. They have never shown any evidence they claim to have concerning blood doping. They also claim to have what they describe as eye witnesses to some unknown activities, none of whom have been identified. It appears this star chamber vendetta will finally discredit the greatest rider we have ever seen. The doping agency’s leadership has been after Mr. Armstrong for over ten years and are now celebrating their victory behind hugely disingenuous sadness over “winning at all costs”. That’s what Lance did in his success battle against cancer,wasn’t it?

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2. Lola Nafziger says:

   August 28, 2012 at 11:08 am

   It seems that if you do not have a blood sample or urine sample that tests POSITIVE for a substance that you can identify you are simply on a witchhunt.

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3. Bill Neal says:

   August 28, 2012 at 4:47 pm

   I am trying to figure out how an organization that in 2011 received $8,982,000 in Federal Grants is allowed to smear the reputation of a most accomplished cyclist armed with only rumors, hearsay and inferences.

   http://www.xtri.com/features/detail/284-itemId.511714298.html

   USADA lacks internal and external controls

   If Mr. Tygart and staff have the power it appears, what are the internal and external controls at USADA? What would restrict an overly ambitious CEO with an “axe to grind?”According to USADA bylaws, the organization has a very small ten member board of directors. The current director’s are apparently impressed with Tygart and his “Tygarthian” prosecution style of accusing first and looking for evidence later. Unless Mr. Tygart received a pay cut last year, he’s been paid a total of over $1.2 million in compensation and $100,000 in bonuses over the past four years. The spokesperson at the USADA did respond to my e-mail, but she declined to comment whether Tygart’s bonuses were tied to finding a certain number of athletes or a particularly high profile athlete guilty of doping.

   The 2011 USADA annual report shows a total of 8,204 tests were given in 72 categories. Cycling had the second highest number at 989 tests only exceeded by track and field with 2,051

   From the 2011 USADA annual report

   As CEO, Tygart works closely with the USADA Board of Directors to carry out the organization’s
   mission of preserving the integrity of competition, inspiring true sport, and protecting the
   rights of U.S. athletes.

   The strategic plan does not seem to follow the mission statement

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4. Mary Ellen Davis says:

   August 29, 2012 at 9:36 am

   Thanks for the interesting story on USADA. It is nice Lance has such loyal fans–I’m not one. However, given Mr. Neal’s statements above, it looks like USADA would make a very interesting story.

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