medusa Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 At the time it was a thoroughly widespread practise and vilifying a single rider when hundreds were doing it is both needlessly pejorative and twisting history away from an unpleasant chapter where it is very likely that most of the riders in the top 100 in the world had some help that wouldn't now be accepted. As I've stated on other threads, this is very similar to holding up Ben Johnson as a drugs cheat when of the 8 men in that 100m final in the Olympics, only 2 were NOT involved in assorted drugs scandals over the years. He was just the most famous one that was caught at a really high profile time- the others were just lucky enough not to be caught during a high profile competition or not officially caught at all but tripped up during practice. The only difference between today and then is that the tests exist that can find a whole assortment of drugs in ever smaller quantities. If the substances weren't detectable do you really think that it would be the exception to use them, or would it be 'just another normality' along with the sort of extreme diet that most athletes eat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alchresearch Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 The thing which saddened me was the announcement there would be no winners for the seven TDF's which Armstong won by cheating. That leaves a long lasting gap in the tour's history and a permanent scar. Surely it would be better to award those who came second for those years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frededwards Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 The reason that they have decided not to award the winners of the seven events that Armstrong cheated to win is because of the 21 potential podium places in those races, only one participant who finished in the top three has not subsequently failed a drug test. The sport has been rotten to the core for years, it's not just Armstrong. And before people deem that he should be shown any leniency or compassion because he is a cancer victim, they would do well to consider that the human growth hormone that he has been a long-term abuser of may well have contributed to the cancer in the first place. Tha man is scum, and should be treated as such. Unfortunately he isn't the only one in his "sport." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That easy Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 People need to calm down, he cheated to ride a bike faster and further than anyone else; naughty but not important. Move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truman Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 The thing which saddened me was the announcement there would be no winners for the seven TDF's which Armstong won by cheating. That leaves a long lasting gap in the tour's history and a permanent scar. Surely it would be better to award those who came second for those years? Who's to say they weren't doped as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frededwards Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Who's to say they weren't doped as well? Read my post, above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eater Sundae Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 At the time it was a thoroughly widespread practise and vilifying a single rider when hundreds were doing it is both needlessly pejorative and twisting history away from an unpleasant chapter where it is very likely that most of the riders in the top 100 in the world had some help that wouldn't now be accepted. As I've stated on other threads, this is very similar to holding up Ben Johnson as a drugs cheat when of the 8 men in that 100m final in the Olympics, only 2 were NOT involved in assorted drugs scandals over the years. He was just the most famous one that was caught at a really high profile time- the others were just lucky enough not to be caught during a high profile competition or not officially caught at all but tripped up during practice. The only difference between today and then is that the tests exist that can find a whole assortment of drugs in ever smaller quantities. If the substances weren't detectable do you really think that it would be the exception to use them, or would it be 'just another normality' along with the sort of extreme diet that most athletes eat? They currently have (IIRC) an 8 year period after testing, during which the authorities can retest old samples using newer testing methods. I think this is a great idea. IMO it should be extended indefinitely. Then, anyone subsequently found would be stripped of all results during that year (at least), and be required to return any prize money, awards etc. This might give those riders who are thinking of taking PEDs some pause for thought. In the past, while ever a rider is confident that the drugs he is using cannot be identified by test, he need not have worried. Now he might have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BasPosse Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 The reason that they have decided not to award the winners of the seven events that Armstrong cheated to win is because of the 21 potential podium places in those races, only one participant who finished in the top three has not subsequently failed a drug test. The sport has been rotten to the core for years, it's not just Armstrong. And before people deem that he should be shown any leniency or compassion because he is a cancer victim, they would do well to consider that the human growth hormone that he has been a long-term abuser of may well have contributed to the cancer in the first place. Tha man is scum, and should be treated as such. Unfortunately he isn't the only one in his "sport." I've always what Wiggins is on to cause his sideburns to rage rampantly like they do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gym_rat Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 The thing which saddened me was the announcement there would be no winners for the seven TDF's which Armstong won by cheating. That leaves a long lasting gap in the tour's history and a permanent scar. Surely it would be better to award those who came second for those years? leave them empty - as an embarasment to the sport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bypassblade Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 leave them empty - as an embarasment to the sport Perhaps if they awarded them to the "clean" rider, who came nearest the winner, we could see someone who finished 41st winning it :hihi: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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