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kitler53 on 24 August 2012
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hsrob said:

That article didn't start well so a few tidbits I have picked up while following this case.

Armstrong was, during his career, the most tested cyclists ever. He has never tested positive for anything, ever.

A federal case against him was dropped a couple of years back because there was no evidence to support claims that he was or had been a drug cheat.

The USADA has taken it upon themselves to 'prove' that Armstrong is a cheat going so far as to coerce former team mates to agree to testify against him, some of whom have already been proven guilty as drug cheats. This is in spite of the fact that they still have not revealed any substantial evidence against him.

Armstrong has simply refused to mount a defense against the USADA charges because it seems there is real concern that they could simply bring another case against him even if this one is dismissed, starting the whole process again. Armstrong claims he is tired of him and his family being 'harassed' in the course of this and other previous investigations and this is why he is refusing to mount a defence.

In spite of the fact that the USADA appears to have the right to ban Armstrong from competing in organised sports without 'proving' him guilty by the usual standards, the UCI (International Cycling Federation) has up to this point supported Armstrong's claim that they actually have no real jurisdiction to bring charges against him and certainly no jurisdiction to strip him of his Tour De France victories.

What I like least about this whole process is that it appears in the eyes of the USADA people are guilty until proven innocent and their heavy handed an uneven approach has meant it's likely there will never be a resolution to this case. As much as I admire Armstrong I would like him to be found guilty, if he is in fact so, but equally he should be afforded a legitimate opportunity to maintain innocence until that guilt is proved.

As it stands it's unlikely now that we will ever actually know one way or another, leaving him as both the greatest and most succesful drug cheat in the history of cycling and the greatest Tour De France rider ever.


this.  but mostly bold.