The Associated Press Friday, August 5, 2005; 11:00 PM PARIS, France --
Lance Armstrong's record setting seventh Tour de France victory, along with his entire Tour de France legacy, may be tarnished by what could turn out to be one of the greatest sports scandals of all time. Armstrong is being quizzed by French police after three banned substances were found in his South France hotel room while on vacation after winning the 2005 Tour de France.
The three substances found were toothpaste, deodorant, and soap which have been banned by French authorities for over 75 years. Armstrong's girlfriend and American rocker Sheryl Crowe is quoted as saying "we use them every day in America, so we naturally thought they'd be OK throughout Europe."
Along with these three banned substances, French authorities also physically searched Armstrong himself and found several other interesting items that they have never seen before, including a backbone and testicles.
PARIS -- Lance Armstrong plans to train with his team this winter, increasing speculation he will end his retirement and attempt an eighth straight Tour de France win.
"It's definitely an open possibility, I know he is on the bike," Discovery Channel team director Johan Bruyneel told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Wednesday.
"He absolutely wants to be part of the training camp in December and wants to get fit to compete with the guys there," Bruyneel said, adding that Armstrong can decide to return as late as February.
When Armstrong retired in July after his seventh straight Tour win, Bruyneel had to decide whether to recruit a new team leader. He opted not to do so, suggesting the door may have been kept open for the Texan.
"We didn't really look for somebody to replace him," Bruyneel said. "For one there is nobody, not a strong leader like he was. Without him we have a very good team ... but not the favorites."
The Amaury Sport Organization, which organizes the Tour, would not comment on the speculation.
"We will express ourselves only if and when he decides to come out of retirement," spokesman Christophe Marchadier said. "There is nothing to stop him coming back on the Tour as a professional cyclist."
Armstrong, who turns 34 later this month, won this year's Tour by a comfortable margin -- 4 minutes, 40 seconds ahead of Italian Ivan Basso and 6:21 ahead of Jan Ullrich of Germany.
"I'm sure he could win [another Tour]," Bruyneel said. "The way he won this year ... everything pretty much under control and he never showed any weakness. He has another Tour in his legs yet."
Armstrong, who announced his engagement Monday to rock singer Sheryl Crow, issued a statement Tuesday confirming that he's considering a comeback in part to rankle French media.
On Aug. 23, sports daily L'Equipe, which is owned by the Tour organizer, reported it had evidence that six of Armstrong's urine samples from the 1999 Tour tested positive last year for the blood booster EPO. The substance was banned in 1999, but there was no reliable test at the time.
"I think he's been very offended," Bruyneel said. "If you know him he doesn't need a lot to find some motivation. I think it woke up the competitive side of him."
Should Armstrong return, the media scrutiny surrounding him would be intense and he would likely receive a hostile reception from the French public.
"He proved in the past that he can deal with that. He is at his maximum under pressure," Bruyneel said. "Physically and mentally he can deal with a lot."
Freaking Awesome.
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
Originally posted by Mahler: What American DOESN'T receive a hostile reception from the French public?
Mahler
For the most part, they deserve it. Lance Armstrong does not, but I think it is a unfair to group such a phenomenal person with the "other Americans" who receive a hostile treatment from the french press. many do deserve it, (dream team instantly comes to mind (4 x 4 olympic relays were also deserving of scorn- how about golf?)
John I do appreciate your point about the french press being a bit "over board", but to group L.A. with the usual shmos, is unfair to L.A. and unfair to even the slanted french press. It puts them in a good light by grouping therir attacks on L.A. with their attacks on perhaps deserving Americans.
Anyway, Lance IMO is not one of the "ugly Americans" who perhaps deserve the scorn of not only the french press, but of the american press. He is a clear example of some of the admirable qualities of Americans and I hope the inappropriate bellows of the french press do not get lost in a sea of anti-french diatribes, instead I hope they stand on their own merits. If that is the case, they will not stand very long. They will be seen for what they are; what they say; and the message they convey: being (imo) false; untruth (worse than lies I would venture); and bigotry of the worse kind.
Respectfully,
Peter
__________________
Peter
After all, diamonds are a girl's best friend…
well it wasn't only lance... When eddy Merckx was going for his 6th tour victory he was punched in the liver by a jealous french fan, because he always won and the french never did.
Anyway participating again AND winning would be the best way to give the french a nice big cup of stfu [img]smile.gif[/img]
and Kaiser many american people are against europeans in general too.. I've seen many discussions in which they called Europe a 'safe haven for terrorists' not too mention how superior they think their nation is...
and i'm not talking about the guys/gals here, cuz you already proved to me that you're all objective, intelligent peeps
Peter and eros, of course you are both right. The original fake article, which I found somewhat humorous, is filled with stereotypes about the French. I probably posted it because of my irritation with the witchhunt by the Tour organizers, Le'Equipe, and the French press and their obsession to find anything incriminating.
Lance himself has said he has received a very warm welcome by the citizens of France in the last few years of his riding Le Tour (the citizens of Germany, however, are a different case). FWIW, I like France and the French. The few times I've been there, I've only had good experiences.
Eros, I think Europe, with its long history, is much more 'mature' than America in most ways. In the international arena, we are kinda the spoiled rich kid with a chip on its shoulder.
My apologies to anyone who was offended by the original article posted.
You could turn it around too. I am sure the US is pictured as a bunch of xxxxxx by other countries in the press. Most of you seem to be nice people and would help out people etc, not like you are portrayed.
As for the French I think they hate winners more than they hate certain nationalities.
I heard LA talk about a poll in which he was voted third most hated athlete behind Michael Schumacher and some footballer.
Adieu,
__________________
Working "hard," or the perception of working hard, doesn't really mean anything. Sweating, vomiting, and breathing hard could be a good workout or a tropical disease kicking in.-Dan John
quote:Originally posted by Mahler: What American DOESN'T receive a hostile reception from the French public?
Mahler
For the most part, they deserve it. Lance Armstrong does not, but I think it is a unfair to group such a phenomenal person with the "other Americans" who receive a hostile treatment from the french press. many do deserve it, (dream team instantly comes to mind (4 x 4 olympic relays were also deserving of scorn- how about golf?)
John I do appreciate your point about the french press being a bit "over board", but to group L.A. with the usual shmos, is unfair to L.A. and unfair to even the slanted french press. It puts them in a good light by grouping therir attacks on L.A. with their attacks on perhaps deserving Americans.
Anyway, Lance IMO is not one of the "ugly Americans" who perhaps deserve the scorn of not only the french press, but of the american press. He is a clear example of some of the admirable qualities of Americans and I hope the inappropriate bellows of the french press do not get lost in a sea of anti-french diatribes, instead I hope they stand on their own merits. If that is the case, they will not stand very long. They will be seen for what they are; what they say; and the message they convey: being (imo) false; untruth (worse than lies I would venture); and bigotry of the worse kind.
Respectfully,
Peter [/quote]Peter, not talking about American celebs but just people I know who have gone to France and are treated like shit because they are American and for no other reason. The "usual shmos" deserve what they get.
Mahler
__________________ In Fitness & Friendship, MAHLER
______________________________ __________________________ There is no light at the end of the tunnel. You carry the light with you.
"My apologies to anyone who was offended by the original article posted."
If that was addressed to me, I am noty offended in the least. I think the French Press are very offensive with regard to L.A.
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Being a tourist in France can be a frustrating experience paricularly if you do not speak french and if you are American. I think the the "hate" affair with the US really stems from the Charles DeGaulle (sp?) era, when France slipped the last notch into decline, and was treated as less than equal by the US (since it was in fact less than equal) but certainly a very bittert pill to swallow for C.D. and I believe he was one of the major shapers of the modern anti US tone in France.
Unfortunately for France, the US constantly reminds it that it is not a world power anymore.
Peter
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Peter
After all, diamonds are a girl's best friend…
French are known to be chauvinistic, they call us 'le petit belges' sais enough no?
anyway French are like, why should I speak English when I'm in my country and according to me this is comparable to the american everyone-speaks-enlish idea.
OH well it's everywhere the same: when I go to spain I'm a gringo and the locals look down on the tourists all the time..
When I go to holland it are always endless discussions about stupid thing like football etc.
Everyone has this feeling about their country and will defend it abroad
And I wasn't offended by the post: as I said earlier the people here are intelligent and objective so no hard feelings
Originally posted by ODB: We gave them Jerry Lewis, what else do they want?
I love a good French whine.
OTOH, I love a good French wine, but personally hate the whine. [img]smile.gif[/img]
I agree with Eros about all countries having their "pride". I'm not sure if the French are particularly critical (compared to other peoples) of the US's English-only attitude, but it seems the French have had a pretty stong "speak French" attitude for quite a while. I had friends in Portugal tell me they'd previously felt people in the US should speak more languages. However, in looking at the map and the size of the US, they realized we have limited opportunity and need to speak other languages, based on our geography. Thus, they forgave us.
RE Lance, I think it would be neat for him to submit to regular and frequent drug screening all this next year, and then go win the tour again. That would not be without it's risk, however. But, what the hell?!
Originally posted by Chris Correia:
RE Lance, I think it would be neat for him to submit to regular and frequent drug screening all this next year, and then go win the tour again. That would not be without it's risk, however. But, what the hell?! [/QB]
When he was racing full time, he was tested from 2 - 6 times per week, year round. The testing group would show up at his house at like 5 am, Christmas Morning, Thanksgiving Day, you name it. He has been tested more than any human I'm sure.
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
quote:Originally posted by Chris Correia:
RE Lance, I think it would be neat for him to submit to regular and frequent drug screening all this next year, and then go win the tour again. That would not be without it's risk, however. But, what the hell?!
When he was racing full time, he was tested from 2 - 6 times per week, year round. The testing group would show up at his house at like 5 am, Christmas Morning, Thanksgiving Day, you name it. He has been tested more than any human I'm sure. [/QB][/quote]I've tended to think Lance is clean; however, not knowing enough about the testing protocols, I figure, "One never knows." If testing has been that rigorous, then it further affirms my beliefs. However, for another win to be completely above reproach, to the point of "proving it to all concerned", I think he'd have to be a compete open book. But, then again, I realize that his critics STILL won't acknowledge it's legitimacy, still believing "he MUST be cheating, somehow, and just didn't get caught . . ."
Yeah, I think that sentiment is shared with a lot of people. I have a buddy who is a Cat 2 racer, so pretty good, who says that testing is still a joke, and that there are tons of guys who figure ways around it. I agree with you, Lance would have to be completely open about it this year.
But the fact that he is tested as often as he is, and is still clean has to say something! Either he's truely clean, or his team invests a lot of money in making sure he doesn't get caught.
I don't think he dopes. I think he's a genetic freak, and works hard with what he was given. I hope he doesn't prove me wrong...
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
Originally posted by emartin10: Yeah, I think that sentiment is shared with a lot of people. I have a buddy who is a Cat 2 racer, so pretty good, who says that testing is still a joke, and that there are tons of guys who figure ways around it. I agree with you, Lance would have to be completely open about it this year.
But the fact that he is tested as often as he is, and is still clean has to say something! Either he's truely clean, or his team invests a lot of money in making sure he doesn't get caught.
I don't think he dopes. I think he's a genetic freak, and works hard with what he was given. I hope he doesn't prove me wrong...
LOL. The term "genetic freak" takes a positive situation and almost makes it seem unseemly. However, I do share that opinion of the situation. All you can do it play the cards you're dealt. He may have a great hand, but he still needed to play it well.
Originally posted by emartin10:
I don't think he dopes. I think he's a genetic freak, and works hard with what he was given. I hope he doesn't prove me wrong...
How about "physiological mutant"?
__________________
The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'.
__________________
"It's what you've got inside that matters. The details and technological things will take you only so far. You still have to pedal the bike. Some people are always looking for the magic secret. There's no secret. Just bust your ass." -Dave Zabriskie
__________________
The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'.
well he is a machine ya know
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