Raise your hand if you’ve heard this before. Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong is being accused of doping. These days it seems like the 40-year-old cyclist is always debunking rumors of steroid use.
Here’s his latest denial:
I have been notified that USADA, an organization largely funded by taxpayer dollars but governed only by self-written rules, intends to again dredge up discredited allegations dating back more than 16 years to prevent me from competing as a triathlete and try and strip me of the seven Tour de France victories I earned. These are the very same charges and the same witnesses that the Justice Department chose not to pursue after a two-year investigation. These charges are baseless, motivated by spite and advanced through testimony bought and paid for by promises of anonymity and immunity. Although USADA alleges a wide-ranging conspiracy extended over more than 16 years, I am the only athlete it has chosen to charge. USADA’s malice, its methods, its star-chamber practices, and its decision to punish first and adjudicate later all are at odds with our ideals of fairness and fair play.
I have never doped, and, unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one. That USADA ignores this fundamental distinction and charges me instead of the admitted dopers says far more about USADA, its lack of fairness and this vendetta than it does about my guilt or innocence.
Armstrong’s fans came out in full support of their hero.
Free Lance! RT @lancearmstrong: My official statement re: @usantidoping's latest witch hunt. http://t.co/Ehkwjkh2 #unconstitutional
— Blaine Nickeson (@bnickeson) June 13, 2012
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https://twitter.com/TheRealTomLuley/status/213004379412893696
@MayhemGavin lol I am more disturbed with the next @lancearmstrong witch hunt it's ridiculous now I mean come on enough is enough
— Mark Wolff (@wolffmark) June 13, 2012
@lancearmstrong @usantidoping well said Lance. I hope this does not overshadow your amazing career. Not everyone is out to get you.
— Chris Keller-Jackson (@crankphoto) June 13, 2012
https://twitter.com/Creatre3/status/213004247824994304
How many more times does @lancearmstrong have to prove himself?? #disgusting #GoLance #Fightlikehell ?
— Helen Watkins (@Helz8310) June 13, 2012
@lancearmstrong sounds like jealous people who can never be the athlete you are so instead try to discredit you #lancetowinkona !!!!!
— Ged Ginty (@GedGinty) June 13, 2012
This continued failure of a witch hunt against @lancearmstrong is the biggest waste of my tax dollars.
— Daniel Reichert (@dgreichert) June 13, 2012
Another round of ridiculous accusations against @lancearmstrong Still waiting to see him failing even one drug test…
— Dan Chomicz (@DChomicz) June 13, 2012
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