Columnists, fans divided after Lance Armstrong drops drug defence

by John Bowman Posted: August 24, 2012 9:45 AM Last Updated: August 24, 2012 10:22 AM

View the story "Columnists, fans divided after Lance Armstrong drops drug defence" on StorifyColumnists, fans divided after Lance Armstrong drops drug defenceStorified by CBC News Community · Fri, Aug 24 2012 06:44:36News came late last night that cyclist Lance Armstrong would end his legal challenge against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's charges that he used performance enhancing drugs.
USADA to strip Lance Armstrong of Tour titles, ban him for lifeThe U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles after he d...My official statement re: @usantidoping's pitiful charade http://bit.ly/Ozm7XZLance ArmstrongArmstrong's statement reads in part:

"If I thought for one moment that by participating in USADA's process, I could confront these allegations in a fair setting and -- once and for all -- put these charges to rest, I would jump at the chance. But I refuse to participate in a process that is so one-sided and unfair. Regardless of what Travis Tygart says, there is zero physical evidence to support his outlandish and heinous claims."

The USADA said it would strip Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and ban him from the sport for life.
Statement From USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart Regarding Dismissal Of Armstrong Lawsuit http://www.usada.org/media/statement8202012USADAWorld cycling body demands details in Lance Armstrong casePosted: Aug 24, 2012 8:56 AM ET The International Cycling Union will wait for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to explain why Lance Armstrong ...USADA chief executive Travis Tygart tells @CBSThisMorning: Lance Armstrong is disqualified and has a permanent ban from sport competition.CBS This MorningSports columnists shared their takes on the story and discussed whether the USADA has the authority to levy the sanctions it is now threatening.
Lance Armstrong takes back page of @nydailynews http://pic.twitter.com/Aq7GcJv4NYDN Sports I-TeamAs of tonight, Greg LeMond is the only American man to win the Tour de France.NYDN Sports I-TeamUCI asks USADA to give 'reasoned decision' for action. Won't comment further until then. Something tells me dirty laundry might yet be airedOrla ChennaouiWake up to find Armstrong has thrown in the towel against USADA. Relief. Debate over. Now need to see evidence, absorb, learn + move onWilliam FotheringhamWoken up to the @lancearmstrong statement and news. My question is,as I am not a lawyer 'does USADA have the authority to strip his titles?'Anthony McCrossanTo confirm, USADA does have authority to strip Armstrong on his Tour titles (and other results) under WADA code which UCI/cycling.....Cycling Weekly.... signed up to, although UCI will also have to confirm/ratify this. USADA has worked within WADA code throughout the case.Cycling WeeklyCommentary: Armstrong the martyr changes the conversation by refusing arbitration http://ow.ly/dc1vKVeloNewsMy take: latest @thenation "Lance Armstrong Will Be Stripped of His Titles, But Not His Fans" by Dave Zirin http://bit.ly/R6LYonDave ZirinStunned and not stunned by Lance Armstrong news.Tom WithersTo believe in Lance Armstrong, that he could cleanly beat a juiced field not by a little but by a lot, was never logical.Damien CoxI think Lance Armstrong probably doped. I think he probably spent years lying about it. But there's something tragic about all this.Bruce ArthurRemember: LA may be down, but doping - and those who facilitated it - is not yet done. Now we have to learn how LA got away with it.fmkTo many people who follow cycling closely, the move to strip Armstrong of his titles did not come as a surprise.
Which non-admission is more comical: Lance and drugs or Clinton and Monica Lewinsky?nyvelocityI'd offer to shot tequila for every mention of "I never tested positive" but I'm not sure there's enough tequila in Australia to cover it...Nick SquillariCosmo's Law: The less you know about cycling, the more innocent you think Lance Armstrong is.Cyclocosm.comSome may not agree, but today is an important day for the future of the sport. Cycling will be the better for it long termShane Stokes cyclingBut Armstrong's fans also took to Twitter to defend him and to vent their anger at the USADA, its chief executive Travis Tygars and what they say is an unfair process.

And many also praised Armstrong for his work in fundraising for cancer research.
"@lancearmstrong: My official statement re: @usantidoping's pitiful charade http://bit.ly/Ozm7XZ" I am so sorry this is happening to you MBBWilliam ShatnerDear @usantidoping u have done NOTHING to help our sport. All you've shown is that if an athlete passes ALL your tests, they're still guiltyDutchLance Armstrong - always my hero, forever an inspiration #livestrong http://pic.twitter.com/rpDhNpLwAndy DobbsThere is no proof Lance Armstrong is a drug cheat. He NEVER tested positive to any banned substance. Its a Travis Tygart witch hunt!❝ Hayley ❞ Go ahead @usantidoping strip @lancearmstrong of his seven Tour de France wins. It will mean NOTHING, you cannot rewrite history. #ChampionGrand Prix DiaryMemo to media: @lancearmstrong did NOT concede he cheated. He conceded he could not beat USADA (@usantidoping) in game it rigged against himBill HobbsI was never inspired by anything Travis Tygart did. I never cheered for him. ANd I won't now.Nate AbbottLance Armstrong could be guilty or not... The charity work he has done is amazing. Raising over $500million for cancer. Serious witch hunt!DannyCiprianiWhether you think Lance Armstrong doped or not, USADA is out of their league and destroying his life without much regard for due process.theprez98 (总统)Shame on USADA for saying Lance Armstrong's decision not to fight charges endlessly was admission of guilt. Innocent until proven? #failMatthew Ferrara & CoCongratulations @usantidoping, everyone hates you. Mad love @lancearmstrong, #livestrong ma dude.Colin Hornett@usantidoping Please explain why testing is done when charges can be brought against someone who has never tested positive? Pitiful!Gene QuinnThe Twitter comedians were out in force, basing their jokes on cycling...
By far, Lance Armstrong's darkest legacy will be that he convinced millions of men it was okay to wear bike shorts.Andy Borowitz...the nature of his cancer...
The USADA not only wants to strip Lance Armstrong of all 7 Tour de France titles, they're lobbying to have his removed testicle put back in.Jim NortonI knew Lance didn't have the ball to fight those allegations.Alec Sulkin...mistaken identity...
Just heard that Lance Armstrong has been stripped of all his titles. So from now on, the first man on the moon was Buzz AldrinDean BurnettOf course Lance Armstrong was taking drugs. No ones legs and arms are naturally that stretchy.Carlos Spiceyweiner... or meta-commentary about all the opinions about Armstrong flying around Twitter.
Urgent: Your blanket judgment of Lance Armstrong is needed immediately on the Internet!pourmecoffee

Tags: social media, Sports, Storify, Twitter

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