'It's Not About the Bike' and finally the public know the real reasons why it never really was for Lance Armstrong. At last the biggest open secret in sport is out thanks to the USADA's 1,000 page dossier that details the evidence that Lance Armstrong and his former team-mates at the
US Postal and the Discovery Channel teams had engaged in widespread doping
between 1999 – 2005.
During that period Armstrong had become a hero to many. He had beaten testicular cancer and was beating his rivals out of sight, winning seven consecutive Tour de France titles to eclipse cycling greats like Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain and Eddy Merckx
However, while technology, sports science and equipment have improved since those halcyon days, the USADA’s evidence, which is underpinned by the testimony of 26 witnesses, including 11 former team-mates now reveals why Armstrong reigned for so long.
During that period Armstrong had become a hero to many. He had beaten testicular cancer and was beating his rivals out of sight, winning seven consecutive Tour de France titles to eclipse cycling greats like Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain and Eddy Merckx
However, while technology, sports science and equipment have improved since those halcyon days, the USADA’s evidence, which is underpinned by the testimony of 26 witnesses, including 11 former team-mates now reveals why Armstrong reigned for so long.
Here's how an eventful week - a week from Hell unfolded for Armstrong.
11 October
Reports emerge that Armstrong may now be subject
to perjury charges after testifying in a 2005 court case that he had never taken
banned drugs in order to obtain a $5million (£3million) performance bonus. The
company which paid the bonus hints at legal action to retrieve the money.
12 October
12 October
The International Olympic Committee says it is looking into stripping Armstrong
of the bronze medal he won at the 2000 Sydney Games in the individual time
trial. Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme says that results from the Armstrong era should be expunged: “The best solution is to
say that there should be no Tour winner those years.”
say that there should be no Tour winner those years.”
13 October
Pat McQuaid, the president
of the International Cycling Union (UCI), admits that he felt “angry and
shocked. That’s as much as I can say.”
14 October
Emma O’Reilly, Armstrong's personal masseuse and assistant in the 1990s, says she was used by the cyclist and former US Postal team director Johan Bruyneel to ferry drugs. Meanwhile Dick Pound former president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says that the International Cycling Union (UCI) most likely turned a blind eye to alleged doping by Armstrong and others.
14 October
Emma O’Reilly, Armstrong's personal masseuse and assistant in the 1990s, says she was used by the cyclist and former US Postal team director Johan Bruyneel to ferry drugs. Meanwhile Dick Pound former president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says that the International Cycling Union (UCI) most likely turned a blind eye to alleged doping by Armstrong and others.
15
October
Armstrong’s lawyer, Tim Herman claims that the disgraced cyclist might be willing take a lie-detector test to prove his innocence.
16 October
Former UCI employee Dr Michael Ashenden, criticises the governing bodies decision to accept donations from Armstrong totalling £78,000. Sponsors Oakley and RadioShack publicly admit that they could reconsider their relationship with him.
17 October
Nike terminate their sponsorship ‘due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Armstrong participated in doping’ hours after the Texan steps down as chairman of his cancer charity Livestrong. Trek Bicycles, one of his biggest sponsors, and Giro also end their association with the American.
Armstrong’s lawyer, Tim Herman claims that the disgraced cyclist might be willing take a lie-detector test to prove his innocence.
16 October
Former UCI employee Dr Michael Ashenden, criticises the governing bodies decision to accept donations from Armstrong totalling £78,000. Sponsors Oakley and RadioShack publicly admit that they could reconsider their relationship with him.
17 October
Nike terminate their sponsorship ‘due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Armstrong participated in doping’ hours after the Texan steps down as chairman of his cancer charity Livestrong. Trek Bicycles, one of his biggest sponsors, and Giro also end their association with the American.
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