A book to be released this week reiterates allegations that Lance Armstrong has used illegal substances since recovering from cancer in 1998.
The elite cyclist has never tested positive for banned substances, has never been disciplined and has repeatedly denied using anything illegal.
Nonetheless, "L.A. Confidential: The Secrets of Lance Armstrong" restates claims that have swirled in Europe for years.
Excerpts appeared in this week's L'Express and were reported by Agence France Press.
The book cites Emma O'Reilly, a former U.S. Postal cycling team physiotherapist, who worked with Armstrong three and a half years beginning in 1998. According to the reports:
# She accuses Armstrong of using EPO;
# The cyclist asked her to dispose of syringes after the 1998 Tour of Holland;
# In May 1999, Armstrong asked her to drive to Spain to pick up drugs and bring them to his training camp in France, where he took delivery.
The book is co-written by Sunday Times sports reporter David Walsh and Pierre Ballester, a cycling expert formerly with L'Equipe.
Walsh also wrote a story critical of Armstrong in 2001, linking him to Dr. Michele Ferrari, who was forced to leave the Gewiss-Ballan team after comments about EPO.
Armstrong has threatened a legal battle if the book contains doping allegations about him.
EPO, erythropoietin, is banned in sports, but has been used by endurance athletes because it helps boost concentrations of red blood cells.
The doping accusations towards Lance have been there for years, and no hard proof have been found. Personally, I tend to fall into the "I don't know but it wouldn't surprise me at all" category, but then again I don't really like him
This guy gets tested all the time and never has failed a drug screen, as far as I know. Until he fails a drug test, he is not a juicer... Barry Bonds on the other hand... juicer!
Canelek wrote:This guy gets tested all the time and never has failed a drug screen, as far as I know. Until he fails a drug test, he is not a juicer... Barry Bonds on the other hand... juicer!
Well drug tests aren't the same all over the place. An example is the US' total ignoration of drug tests for sprinters for years, which they are finally starting to clean up now. Also, drug tests are always one step behind new drugs so it is possible to take them and not get caught.
That said.. didn't he actually test positive for something like WAY back in the day? Or is my memory shot? Too tired to research it..
Kelshara wrote:An example is the US' total ignoration of drug tests for sprinters for years, which they are finally starting to clean up now.
That's so not a word.
Aside of that, I'm not suprised that the French would do something like this. They're just pissed off that there is nothing, aside of wine and stinky cheese, that they are good at anymore.
Last edited by masteen on June 15, 2004, 6:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"There is at least as much need to curb the cruel greed and arrogance of part of the world of capital, to curb the cruel greed and violence of part of the world of labor, as to check a cruel and unhealthy militarism in international relationships." -Theodore Roosevelt
Kelshara wrote:An example is the US' total ignoration of drug tests for sprinters for years, which they are finally starting to clean up now.
That's so not a word.
Aside of that, I'm not suprised that the French would do something like this. They're just pissed off that there is nothing, aside of wine and stinky cheese, that they are good at anymore.
BAHAHAHAHA I saw that too and I was like WTF? and had to read that a few more times then I saw your post. Makes me giggle.
