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Originally Posted by Eomer  That's some pretty fucked up logic. "Somewhat honest"? How in the fuck do you figure. He's denied repeatedly every accusation of doping, supports Landis who was obviously doping, and he's "somewhat honest"? What the hell?
If Armstrong wanted to make a difference, he'd be loudly complaining about the lack of doping controls in cycling. But he knows damn well if he opens his mouth in that respect, the spotlight would turn to him and his past, and the scrutiny would destroy the legacy he's sculpted of himself, a legacy that will be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. |
Armstrong did take a shitload of drugs. He only used the best doctor available, and (almost) didn't get caught. The fact is that testing is very costly and that they do not test for everything.
Armstrong, as I understand it, is not against doping. He will and can never admit that he is a doper, but he knows that fighting doping too hard is going to kill his sport.
I don't think he wants to make any difference. He actually wants his sport not to change. He thinks that Landis is a great champion. Everybody is doing drugs. He got caught and (might) lose everything. Isn't that unfair? When everybody is doped, isn't the winner still the greatest champion? Ok, it might be fucked up logic.
Anyway, Armstrong is safe now. His ass is covered and nothing can happen to him anymore. He was tested positive, but the official were unable to find and test the 2nd blood sample. It disappeared, or it was used too late.
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Originally Posted by Szlia I doubt Tennis players get tested after every game they play, but they certainly are tested by surprise every now and then. I remember Federer being asked about that (at the time of a controvery involving Nadal and some spanish doctor) and he said that it was virtualy impossible for anyone in the top 10 to use substances considering how often they are tested. Note also that the nature of the game, that mixes mental strength, strategy, technicity and "athleticity" makes it less interesting for substance abuse than sports of pure performance or that require tremendous endurance. |
I'm not a specialist, but I think there's a lot of mental strength, technic and strategy involved in cycling. And playing 5 sets pretty much everyday for 2 weeks against guys like Nadal in the French or Australian Opens (kinda warm under the sun, sometimes) does require tremendous endurance. Same could be said about Soccer. They run a lot and play many games a week.
Anyway, in Tennis, and in that you are right, the most popular drugs are "mental" enhancers. Stuff that increases your concentration, helps you control stress and heartbeat. Beta-bloquants, cocaïne, anti-anxiety stuff...
And I'm sure Federer would say that. Landis, Vinokourov and Armstrong would as well, if their sport had any credibility left.
Again, it's a fact that Cycling is trying harder than any sport to fight doping. And my opinion that other major sports don't try very hard.