USADA to Strip Armstrong of Tour Wins

In a sport known more for being a haven for drug abuse there was always that one superstar that few believed would or could every cheat and/or lie about performance enhancement and that 

WAS Lance Armstrong.

Well I guess it was just a matter of time. After years of speculation,accusations and a seemingly endless pursuit it would appear that the truth has finally caught up to the once revered and celebrated athletes of our lifetime has seemingly been cut down and is just another disappointment.
For years it was common for other countries to accuse Lance Armstrong of cheating and he would deny it. All around him, before and after is 'amazing' run of 7 Tour de France wins, participants have pop'd positive. Never had Armstrong tested positive but now after all these years and countless allegations, Armstrong now is having to face the music, or at least turn that music off.

U.S. Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart says the agency will ban Lance Armstrong from cycling for life and strip him of his seven Tour de France titles for doping. The ban means nothing at this point as he is removed from being any sort of threat in the cycling world upon his retirement but what it does is crush a legacy that was inspiring to many sports fans, cycling fans and more importantly people fighting cancer, cancer victims, survivors, and those who have been able to beat the horrible enemy. Armstrong's LiveStrong products and branding at one time was unbelievably popular. There were so many people out there who rocked the yellow wrist bracelets is support for the cause. Livestrong was founded and made successful because of what Armstrong had done in the cycling world. It now appears to be all built on a lie.

There was always speculation that something was just not right and that Armstrong 'must have some kind of edge'. Armstrong without fail fought every rumor or accusation and say there was no proof and it was all fabricated, that was until Armstrong on Thursday night dropped any further challenges to USADA's allegations that he took performance-enhancing drugs to win cycling's premier event from 1999-2005.

You are almost looking for the 1920's newspaper kid on the corner yelling 'Extra Extra!' and hearing him say "Say it ain`t so, Lance, Say it ain`t so``

Armstrong says USADA doesn't have the authority to vacate his Tour titles. However, Tygart told The Associated Press that USADA can do it.

It will be interesting to see what the overall reaction to this really is. Have people become to use of drugs in sport and nothing surprises them? Maybe they don`t care anymore, or maybe they will feel betrayed by their one time hero. In any event the court of public appeal is one thing, being officially stripped of Tour Victories is another.

Armstrong has not admitted to any doping infractions but is just not issuing an appeal. That seems to only keep the conspiracy alive. It looks like no one will never know the truth for sure, believers will believe and detractors will continue. Did he or didn't he, the real truth may never be known.

Quick Hits

The Tour De France is now in full force which means we should hear about a bunch of positive drug tests, Lance Armstrong allegations and criticisms, poor North American ratings and if all goes well 1 or 2 huge crashes. Other then that there is little to hold ones interest until the last day...when it is over.

The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly shopping the service of ace Roy Halladay, guess that is the white towel we have been waiting for. Halladay is almost the only pitcher on the team without a broken wing and can actually throw strikes so I guess it is time for him to move on. It is too bad that they can’t rid themselves of the albatross that is Vernon Wells and his massive contract.

The Reds managed to loose last night 22-1 to the Phillies. That is the worst loss in team history. This is not an expansion team either that means it was the worst loss in some 119 years, not good. The Phillies plated 10 in the first inning, not a great way to set the table for the rest of the game.

Remarks by Maple Leafs’ head coach Ron Wilson on a Toronto radio station could prove to be very costly. The Leafs are being investigated for tampering as it relates to the Vancouver Canucks Sedin twins. Wilson stated "You’re hearing right now, and this sounds very contradictory but, there’s a real possibility, I would think, that we would be going after the Sedins. Let’s just speculate there."
This they investigate but they look the other way when Brian Burke was rumored to go to the Leafs as GM. Seems like the NHL only investigates things that they feel like sometimes. Guess that is how 1 owner can lend money to the prospective buyers of a team or another can buy a team with no money. Guess It is very selective and subjective.

Around The Horn

Should injured Canadian Hurdler Perdita Felicien be allowed to make the Canadian team without qualifying?
No, if the alleged worlds fastest man Tyson Gay doesn’t get to run the 200 because he cramped up at the US Trials then she shouldn’t get to run either. I guess it doesn't matter either way with the stigma of 'roids especially in track does it even matter. If a syringe is pushed and no one sees it does it indeed boost performance?

Was there anything funnier then when Felicien hit the hurdle at the 2004 Olympics and went down taking out a rival?
No, No there was not

Michael Vick Filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection while in federal prison
How bad with money can you be to have such a huge signing bonus and salary and blow it all in such little time?
The Falcons bet on the wrong dog in that race...What? Too Soon??

Gary Bettman has tried to put an end to Burke/Lowe feud after Lowe fired back at Burke this week after a year of animosity.
It may have taken a year for Lowe to come up with a comeback but when he did he did so with gusto.
I am just glad that Craig McTavish talked him out of ‘Jerk Store, I am going with Jerk Store... Jerk Store’ though "Your cranium called. It’s got some space to rent.", "The zoo called. You’re due back by six." and "Oh yeah? Well I had sex with your wife!" could also have worked

KC Chiefs Tight End Tony Gonzalez recently saved a choking man in a restaurant after he began choking on a piece of meat
This marks the first time in recent memory that an NFL Player saved a life instead of took one, good work Tony!

Is there anything more insignificant then the Tour De France right now?
No Armstrong, no testosterone laced Landis, no interest...at least from this side of the lake. France can keep their cyclist...err bike riders not steroid cycles.

Mark Martin signs on with Hendrick Motorsports for a full ride next season.
What, does he think he is a boxer? He comes out of retirement more then Leave it to Beaver....re-runs!

Justin Gimelstob fired a rant about his dislike Anna Kournikova with whom he once trained with. I will let his words tell it best.
"I’m going to serve it right at the body, about 128 [mph], right into her midriff," he said. "If she’s not crying by the time she comes off court then I did not do my job."
Asked if that meant he hated the Russian, with whom he trained as a youth player, he replied: "Hate is a very strong word. I just despise her to the maximum level just below hate." He added that he would not like to sleep with Kournikova, "because she’s such a douche". Instead, "I wouldn’t mind my brother, who is kind of a stud, nail her and then reap the benefits."