Did he dope or didn't he dope? - Lance Armstrong sues Times over claims

[HuckleB]

Poll question: Did he dope or didn't he dope? - Lance Armstrong sues Times over claims

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/cycling/story/0,10482,1239349,00.html

Top cyclist to sue Sunday Times over doping claims

"Five-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is set to sue the Sunday Times and its chief sports writer David Walsh over what he claims were false allegations that he took performance-enhancing drugs.

The champion cyclist has instructed law firm Schillings to launch a libel suit in the high court tomorrow seeking "substantial damages".

Armstrong is also seeking an injunction banning the Sunday Times from repeating the allegations, originally contained in a book written by Walsh and French journalist Pierre Ballester entitled LA Confidential - The Secrets of Lance Armstrong.

The champion cyclist, who has always denied taking any performance-enhancing drugs, is also suing the French newspaper L'Express, which has published extracts from the book."

----------

Is Lance the honest Texan or another dishonest doper? Is Walsh trying to cash in at the right moment or is he a good reporter who finally got his man?

I'm keeping my mouth shut for the time being.

[MallRat]

1. Aren't British libel laws heavily slanted against the media?

I vaguely remember something about the burden of proof resting on the reporter/newspaper, to prove that they were telling the truth and weren't trying to defame the subject of their report.

Yes? No? Am I talking out of my ass?

[HuckleB]

2. According to these sources, you're right.

Great Britain's Position:
http://www-cs-education.stanford.edu/classes/cs201/Projects/defamation-and-the-internet/sections/worldwide/britain.html

Bush, the Saudi billionaire and the Islamists: the story a British firm is afraid to publish
http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/politicsphilosophyandsociety/story/0,6000,1182578,00.html

One would have to say that's not going to help Armstrong's PR, if some reporter has the guts to point that out, of course.

[HuckleB]

3. So... why's he going to a British court, rather than a French or US court?

[HuckleB]

8. Note: Armstrong filed suit in France, as well as in Britain.

[HuckleB]

4. From USPS to the Discovery Channel.

Discovery to sponsor Lance Armstrong's team

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/latest/story/0,4390,256583,00.html

"THE people behind TV's Discovery Channel announced on Wednesday that they were going to become the title sponsor of five-time Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong's US Postal Service team from next year.

The sponsorship of the only American pro-cycling team to win the gruelling annual race in France will last three years, said Armstrong's official website.
Advertisement

From next year, including the 2005 Tour de France race, the team will be known as the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team.

The agreement will also see Armstrong serve as the on-air personality across Discovery's networks in the US and across the world."

[HuckleB]

5. A Better Article On Discovery, with interview with Lance.

Discovery deal gives Armstrong new focus
http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/6280.0.html

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. Nice attitude

"Lance Armstrong was confident he had found a sponsor his son Luke could endorse"

:thumbsup:

[HuckleB]

6. No Tour for Beloki.

Beloki's Brioches split means end of Tour hopes
http://www.procycling.com/news_main.asp?newsId=5386

[HuckleB]

7. Nor for Vinokourov.

Operation scuppers Vinokourov's Tour hopes
http://www.procycling.com/news_main.asp?newsId=5381

[HuckleB]

9. UCI President Hein Verbruggen trusts Armstrong

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2004/jun04/jun17news2

(the story is about half-way down the page)

"UCI President Hein Verbruggen, asked for comment on the latest round of doping allegations in the sport, providing a firm stance on both the UCI's efforts to curb drug use and added his own conviction that five-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is not among the cheats.

"Most of all, these people are trying to make money," he said of the new book targeting Lance Armstrong. "I've seen the results of Armstrong's medical controls. I'm told that his medical file is impeccable and I know he's not using banned substances. I believe in the results and I trust Lance. My opinion isn't going to change."

[SiouxJ]

11. I wouldn't put it past him

I have a good friend who used to train with him and he said the LA we see on TV is totally different from the guy he knew. He said he was ruthless and kind of a jerk. Of course he knew him pre-cancer so maybe that changed him. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until I see proof.

[HuckleB]

12. Yes, he was very different pre-cancer.

Most reporters and riders have noted this, and he has admitted that himself. Still, he is very focused on his goals, and can be abrupt as he moves throughout the day, so one could interpret that as being an jerk, I suppose. Still, he does work quite hard for cancer charities and other causes, and he seems to be a fairly good father, from what we can see as a public.

When it comes to being a nice guy, he's no Tyler Hamilton, however.

[Garage Queen]

13. Well, and didn't his marriage break up because of all his training?

Ok, so that's not the best evidence, but if he were doping, he wouldn't have to train quite that much, right? Look, the man's obsessed with training, he was doing it practically 24/7 so *my* vote is that he's drug free.

But I have been known to be wrong.

From time to time ... (heh)

[HuckleB]

15. I don't think we'll ever really know.

But he does train obsessively, in addition to working on creating equipment improvements, etc... so I've got my doubts about the doping claims. But I wouldn't be shocked to see my doubts proved wrong either.

As for the marriage, who knows about such things. It's hard to know how well they really knew each other before the got married, with his schedule. It could be any number of factors, though it was fairly clear that his wife was tired of travel and wanted to stay home.

[GOPisEvil]

14. He is a very driven person, and trains like a madman.

He is very hard on his teammates, and can be quite demanding. But, I know some folks in town who know Lance, and they say he's a pretty nice guy when he's not training.

But...but...shouldn't you KNOW all of this, being Sheryl Crow and all? ;-)

[SiouxJ]

16. Shhhhhh

that's a secret remember.

I'll say one thing, it is true, the part about him having great stamina I mean! :evilgrin:

[GOPisEvil]

17. Hehehehehehehe!

:evilgrin:

[joeybee12]

18. The supposed evidence is very flimsy...I'll believe Lance until

they actually have something credible against him.

[gulfcoastliberal]

19. I think he did

And it probably caused his cancer, too. 99% of people with stage 4 cancer in their brain and lungs don't spontaneously remit and remain able to compete at a professional level. I think he was injecting something but stopped after it caused the cancer. But maybe he is on something again now? All the top athletes do it.

[HuckleB]

20. Dude, you are so trolling.

;)