The ugly Sport
20 Oct 2012 7:48 AM IST
American cyclist Lance Armstrong’s fall from grace sent a clear message to sportsmen and women around the world that the anti-doping agencies are determined to catch drug cheats no matter who they are, World Anti-doping Agency [WADA] head John Fahey said on Friday.
Last week US Anti-Doping Agency [USADA] revealed a report of 1,000 pages, including testimonies of Armstrong’s 11 former teammates, on systematic doping in the former US Postal/Discovery cycling team, masterminded by Armstrong. About six weeks ago, USADA stripped the 41-year-old cancer survivor of his results dating back to Aug 1, 1998, including his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles between 1999 and 2005. Fahey said fame could not protect a drug cheat from punishments.
‘“No matter how important, how successful, how powerful you are, if you are cheating, you will eventually get caught. You’ll bring shame on yourself and on your family and on your country,’ said Fahey during the Oct 17-18 Asian anti-doping education symposium here.
‘I think the Armstrong case demonstrates there are good people out there who will continuously be vigilant and strong to catch drug cheats no matter who they are no matter, what country they are in and no matter how good they are in sport. So I hope there is a message for all the sportsmen and women around the world,’ he said.
RABOBANK CUTS TIES
Dutch banking group Rabobank on Friday announced it was ending from December 31 its sponsorship of both the men’s and women’s professional cycling teams. ‘It is with pain in our heart, but for the bank this is an inevitable decision. We are no longer convinced that the international professional world of cycling can make this a clean and fair sport. We are not confident that this will change for the better in the foreseeable future,’ read a Rabobank statement.
Last week US Anti-Doping Agency [USADA] revealed a report of 1,000 pages, including testimonies of Armstrong’s 11 former teammates, on systematic doping in the former US Postal/Discovery cycling team, masterminded by Armstrong. About six weeks ago, USADA stripped the 41-year-old cancer survivor of his results dating back to Aug 1, 1998, including his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles between 1999 and 2005. Fahey said fame could not protect a drug cheat from punishments.
‘“No matter how important, how successful, how powerful you are, if you are cheating, you will eventually get caught. You’ll bring shame on yourself and on your family and on your country,’ said Fahey during the Oct 17-18 Asian anti-doping education symposium here.
‘I think the Armstrong case demonstrates there are good people out there who will continuously be vigilant and strong to catch drug cheats no matter who they are no matter, what country they are in and no matter how good they are in sport. So I hope there is a message for all the sportsmen and women around the world,’ he said.
RABOBANK CUTS TIES
Dutch banking group Rabobank on Friday announced it was ending from December 31 its sponsorship of both the men’s and women’s professional cycling teams. ‘It is with pain in our heart, but for the bank this is an inevitable decision. We are no longer convinced that the international professional world of cycling can make this a clean and fair sport. We are not confident that this will change for the better in the foreseeable future,’ read a Rabobank statement.
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