Another idol with feet of clay...

[sandyRoe]

http://www.telegraph....-banned-for-life.html

Is there no way to get drug abuse out of this great sport?

[emmie]

seems not, shame because it means those who compete drug free don't get a fair shot at the prizes, money.

[WELSHYORKIE]

But, as he says, he has never failed a drug test. He has decided not to fight because the USADA system is 'rigged' - not that they have proved he took drugs himself. Do they have the power to strip him of his titles? I, personally, would like to think he won the tours on merit not drugs.

[emmie]

what would the gain for the sports governing body to rig the tests?

[boxtops]

He says he didn't do it, he was on the radio just now, he says he's tired of continuing to fight when the authorities say he's guilty. If he didn't do it, and this turns out to be unjust, he doesn't have feet of clay. Who should we believe?

[ChuckFickens]

It does seem a little wrong that the ASADA seem to be operating on a guilty until proven innocent principle.

[ichkeria]

Stripping him of his titles at this late stage smacks of vindictiveness. Who's to say a lot of others weren't on drugs back then also or instead

[sophie_1003]

Em, they didn't rig the tests he was saying the system was rigged, how awful for him, it makes you wonder if any other athletes who maybe aren't so high profile have been subject to the same treatment.

[McMouse]

Road cycling and especially The Tour de France is tarnished. I feel sorry for Wiggo.

[vulcan]

If Armstrong never failed a drugs test, on what evidence is he being convicted?

[Mick-Talbot]

.

Tyler Hamilton said: "I saw (EPO) in his refrigerator. I saw him inject it more than one time, like we all did, like I did many, many times."

Armstrong, who won the Tour de France seven times, has always denied taking banned substances and has refuted Hamilton's claims




like we all did,........................ So who will the record books show as being the winner of these Tour de France titles ?

[nannybooby]

As some of you have said he never failed a drugs test so where are the grounds for stripping his titles.Sounds really odd to me.

[nannybooby]

If Tyler saw the drug and saw him inject how sure was he that it was a banned substance and not something to do with the cancer treatment ? It smacks of sour grapes to me. Surely someone who has had cancer wouldnt put drugs into his body that he didnt need

[China Doll]

I think it would be a real shame if he's striped of his titles and I hope they don't have the power to do it. I'm not even that much a fan of the sport but I do recognise he's one of the greats. I don't understand why if the blood tests are all ok, there is any kind of issue.

[ELVIS68]

If they can't nail him for taking drugs, at least they can do him for peddling!


I'll get me bike

[AB Editor]

Boo!

I am looking forward to the fallout between the governing bodies of cycling. It'll be interesting to see the response from this slight jumping of the gun.

[Frank97]

Another sad day for a sport I love! I know he's never been caught, but when so many around him have, yet he was a better cyclist, certainly seems to suggest that he must have been, imo!

[Mattk]

This guy is a massive inspiration worldwide to both sportsmen and cancer sufferers so leaving it like this is very damaging.

I understand why he won't fight anymore but this needs to be bottomed out fairly whether guilty or otherwise.

[seadogg]

The French pilloried him throughout his TDF career without a shred of evidence. For me, he did it fair and square, backed by a great team.

[joeluke]

No smoke without fire......if, as he says he is, he's innocent, then he'd fight the accusations until proven not guilty

IMO his giving in is an admission of guilt

[DTCwordfan]

well all this legal defence against the accusation must be costing him a fortune, you have to take that into the assessment.