Lance Armstrong is tired of fighting the good fight. After years of vehemently denying the use of performance enhancing drugs during his cycling career Armstrong will not appeal the latest ruling by the USADA. The organization has stripped Lance of his record setting 7 Tour De France titles and banned him for life from the sport. Does the punishment fit the crime?
According to Lance Armstrong there is no crime. He's never had a positive drug test and all the rumors and speculation are created by jealous people that are envious of his success. They are spiteful and vindictive in nature and spread a bunch of lies to tarnish his good name.
If you listen to the rest of the cycling world he's guilty as sin. Former teammates have rolled over on him. Long time competitors have rolled over on him. Coaches and friends have rolled over on him. Organizations and governing bodies all over the world have made it a priority to investigate and prosecute Armstrong for using drugs. The court of popular opinion found him guilty a long time ago.
To be fair cycling is one of the dirtiest sports there is. Only Track and Field comes even close to the number of athletes suspended for drug use. At least half of the Tour De France winners of the last 20 years have tested positive after the race. Anytime your success or failure is measured in hundredths of seconds the pressure to use performance enhancing drugs is greater than you can imagine. The stakes are high and the rewards associated with being a champion are extraordinary. Lance Armstrong won't be the last high profile athlete to use performance enhancing drugs, just the latest one to get caught.
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