The truth is out! A press statement by leading sports-shoe manufacturer Nike on CNN: 'Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we terminated our contract with him.' This was released yesterday. Just this morning, Anheuser-Busch (brewers of Budweiser beer) just dropped Armstrong from their contract. With a reported $12.5 million earnings from sponsorship earnings last year, the uber-biker associated with the Livestrong brand/charity has much to lose for one simple reason.
The prolonged process of systematic doping (parlance for cheating), and coercive tactics on professional cyclists led to the cyclist's eventual downfall. When the whistle-blowers confessed, in gradual numbers (both fellow competitors and ex-team-mates), this once sturdy and stable house-of-cards toppled over. The snitches's role in this cheating scandal will be the proverbial 'straw that broke the camel's back'. Plus, with the obsessive witch-hunter, the United States Anti-Diping Association (USADA) backed by mounting (mountain?) and irrefutable evidence, Armstrong is now a lone wolf backed into his corner. It will be time he will chew off his hand.
Mind you, I am not intentional bashing Mr Armstrong for his systematic doping program. He has been successful in evading the radar of scrutiny by the watchful eyes of the national watchdogs for years. Sure, his weekly ordeal of being tested before and after races seemed unfair and discriminating, however was this a case of 'a matter of time'? Do the wrong deed for a long time, and eventually one slips up. Plus, people may forgive but not forget.
What will this landmark case do for fans, charity (Livestrong), and the sport of cycling? As is, the landfill of secrets will reveal the goings-on in time to come. Live and let live? Meanwhile, wait and see. Be strong. For our sake.
The prolonged process of systematic doping (parlance for cheating), and coercive tactics on professional cyclists led to the cyclist's eventual downfall. When the whistle-blowers confessed, in gradual numbers (both fellow competitors and ex-team-mates), this once sturdy and stable house-of-cards toppled over. The snitches's role in this cheating scandal will be the proverbial 'straw that broke the camel's back'. Plus, with the obsessive witch-hunter, the United States Anti-Diping Association (USADA) backed by mounting (mountain?) and irrefutable evidence, Armstrong is now a lone wolf backed into his corner. It will be time he will chew off his hand.
Mind you, I am not intentional bashing Mr Armstrong for his systematic doping program. He has been successful in evading the radar of scrutiny by the watchful eyes of the national watchdogs for years. Sure, his weekly ordeal of being tested before and after races seemed unfair and discriminating, however was this a case of 'a matter of time'? Do the wrong deed for a long time, and eventually one slips up. Plus, people may forgive but not forget.
What will this landmark case do for fans, charity (Livestrong), and the sport of cycling? As is, the landfill of secrets will reveal the goings-on in time to come. Live and let live? Meanwhile, wait and see. Be strong. For our sake.
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