It’s no real surprise that the evidence seems overwhelmingly to show that he was one of the most systematic and prolific drug cheats sport has ever seen and that his use and support of doping ensured that more and more athletes were taking part in the practices, especially on his teams.
Reading through the USADA’s document (which you can find here) is like reading an alternative version of cycling history through the last decade or so. It’s at times hilarious and bungling and at others like some sort of thriller involving daring moves and night-time escapades from everyone involved in the key teams.
If you’re looking for laughs in the story there are a few, people have already mentioned the panicked flushing of drugs down a toilet, which occurred in a camper van so wouldn’t have got rid of anything. How about the nice targeted advertising on the Guardian’s coverage that seems to offer EPO?
In actual fact the supplement claims to be legal and isn’t EPO, but still…
Armstrong continues to issue statements trying to undermine the evidence, but the sworn statements from cyclists who have now been banned (admittedly only for six months and out of season) and stripped of titles seems fairly robust. Those who have given evidence have put into question their entire careers and reputations and that’s a high price to pay to just try and bring someone down through jealousy. It seems clear that they love the sport and want to find a way forward.
Here's a spot of irony for you:
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