<p>I disagree. He was the best of all those cyclists? Maybe the best doper. The best at using the blood enhancing methods to unnaturally increase his stamina. But to say he was the best cyclist is to say that all of the others had the same access and the same commitment to doping that he did.
I will give him this: He was at the top of the doping ladder. He was the best at that. Armstrong even admitted the doping enabled him to win.
We will never know who was actually the best cyclist during those 7 years.</p>
<p>Thanks for the cite, Momofwildchild. I still do not understand why he decided to admit he doped. He is certainly not going to be permitted to compete for money in official, established venues after this, and he is probably going to get fined and sued up to the whazoo for this. Had he just left things as it was–I’m tired of fighting these charges, so I quit doing that, what would have happened? Why would this arrogant person who has denied in courst, to everyone in the world that he did not cheat, come out and say he lied? Is there proof out there that he found llike the “Lewinsky dress” that would irrutably prove he was lying?</p>
<p>Did anyone else notice (and perhaps this was remarked on earlier in the thread) that his body language occasionally contradicted his words? He would shake his head “no” when he was saying “yes” and vice versa. I’ll be looking for this again in tonight’s interview.</p>
<p>I won’t speculate because of body language, demeanor, etc. There are some nuts out there that are using those things as a basis to consider the Sandy Hook School shooting as engineered and those invovled, including the father of a child who was killed as fakes because of boyd language and what is considered not normal reaction. A jury convicted an Australian woman whose baby was snatched by a dingo, largely because of the way she looked, acted and spoke, when now facts have surfaced that show she was almost certainly telling the truth. So over all, I won’t make that kind of judgment. </p>
<p>The problem is that somoene who has so vociferously denied every little bit of this to the point that he went after anyone who said other wise, is not very believable at this point in the face of other evidence to which he is not admitting is true. </p>
<p>I am waiting for something to come up that forced this confession. I do not believe it’s for his children or just because he’s immune from perjury or he’s tired of lying, or thinks he can competer athletically for money or that he things this will net him more money. To me , it’s clear before he confessed that to do so is going to cause more problems, cost more money, notoriety, law suits, etc. Plus given the way he has been described by every and any one who has known him, it’s not like him to do this. His tests never showed doping, from what I remember, and everything else is from other people’s testimony. No reason why he should have had to confessed. Maybe his medical records are going to come out or one of his doctors will tell on him? Unless there is very good reason he is not the type to come clean, and that reason would have to have him up against the wall with a gun to his head, figuratively speaking.</p>
<p>I think he hopes to be forgiven by those in the cycling world (who know it is true because they were there, and many of them have admitted involvement), and perhaps rebuild his reputation. There is no way he can gain any respect among those on his team, who have admitted guilt, if he refuses to himself.</p>
<p>It reminds me of a situation that happened years ago on my daughter’s high school sports team. Several of the seniors had drugs and alcohol that they brought to a meet at another school, and one of the team members reported it. The entire team was suspended from competing. Because they were set to win the State Championship, and now could not compete, individual members who were not involved but who had hoped to take top spots for individual performance and secure college positions were now out of luck. You can imagine what a mess and hard feelings this created.
What was interesting is that those students who admitted guilt, confessed and apologized were quickly taken back “into the fold” and forgiven by non-users. One single young women who everyone on the team knew was involved refused to admit it. Never has. She also never gained back any friendship or respect from her team members.
I imagine Lance knows that as long as he denies what everyone knows is true, he’ll never have any credibility among those in the athletic world. He needs that.</p>
<p>His vindictiveness is cruel and out of bound. Ultra competitiveness does not excuse this abominable behavior. Sally Jenkins, his autobiographer said something to the effect that she still likes him and still a friend, but she’s glad she is not his adversary. Adversary on the cycling circuit is one thing, but publicly destroy former friends like the Andreus, his masseuse, former teammates off the field? No, he owes them a sincere public apology, a public flogging, not the luxury of private ones after years of persecuting them in public opinion.</p>
<p>So what is the statute of limitations? After admitting doping in every Tour win - 1999 - 2005, he categorically unambiguously denied doping in 2009, 2010. Are you suggesting that in 2 years (or however many needed) we might see him admitting he was doping in 2009 after all(and lying on Oprah) and the next year admitting that he was doping in 2010? How can you guys watch that stuff without pausing after every word to wonder if it is truth or lie? I watched the first 15 minutes but then turned it off.</p>
<p>He KNOWS he isn’t going to be forginven in the cycling world. No way he would. As successful as he was, the money he earned, and those he trounced on. No way, unless he has some money in hand for those who need it. It has to be something that is out there. I see no clear reason for this confession. It really makes no sense at all.</p>
<p>Perhaps there is pressure from the Livestrong organization? I use that website often for medical information. I hope the work is not in jeopardy.</p>
<p>I doubt that he knows that. And some will forgive, if he’s remorseful enough. I’m sure there are many who understand- certainly the ones who also doped and admitted it. It’s the arrogant denial that’s so unforgivable, especially to those who already confessed. Now he joins their ranks. He’s probably banking on time healing the divide.</p>
<p>I agree about Armstrong’s body language, but also his word language. </p>
<p>found his remarking on his answers, “scary, I know,scarier…” so manipulative. as if by acknowledging that it was scary that he didn’t see himself as doing something wrong demonstrates some contrition or insight. He seemed flippant to me, didn’t seem to think he did anything wrong in the here and now either. and the whole questioning by Oprah seemed so pat, yes, yes, yes…yeah um, we figured that out.</p>
<p>and that comment about Andreu’s wife, he thought he earned some credit because he didn’t call her fat. seemed so immature and mean
made me wonder what really happened between him and Sheryl Crow, wonder if she discovered who he really was</p>
<p>“Who he really was” has never been hidden. Sheryl, his wife (Kristin) and others were never in the dark about his true character. I can assure you of that.</p>
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