Lance Armstrong

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by shonadoll

which will eat him up eventually.

I dont think it will, he's pig headed and arrogant. Basically he doesnt think he's done anything wrong, so there's nothing to for him to get eaten up about...

I do, he's competitive and eventually the truth will out. It always does. But hey, I'm the stupid bint who trusted a close friend of mine, a lovely alcoholic who tried to destroy my family. I just can't quite believe it of Lance,I suppose, I never learn...

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

EPO will effect different people in different ways i.e it will raise the red blood cell level in one person more than another even if they get given the same dose of EPO.

So it doesnt really level the playing field.

Well exercise affects different people in different ways too so in a sense it IS a level field.

[MisterTommyH]

I'm sorry, but I've never heard such rubbish.

Excercise affects all people differently, yes, but it's about the work that you as a person can put in to get there. If everything affected everyone equally then where would be the competition.

Why not put little motors on all the wheels - that would really level it up.

Using drugs is taking the 'easy' option. And the deceit that comes with it completely takes away any concept of sportsmanship - especially when 'clean' athletes are ridiculed and forced out of the sport.

I'm not disagreeing with that im just saying a playing field where everyone uses drugs is just as level as one where nobody does.

Back in the old days any professional training at all would have been considered tantamount to cheating.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Spank86

I'm not disagreeing with that im just saying a playing field where everyone uses drugs is just as level as one where nobody does.

I can see where you are coming from and I thought as you do up until recently. However I'm not.

EPO usage as said will effect different athletes in different ways. Steroids / human growth hormone will effect athletes in different ways.

You'll get athletes who will take a little, you'll get athletes who will take whatever they can get their hands on with no regard to their own health. EPO produces new red blood cells which result in thicker blood. It gets to the point where the heart cant cope with the strain and fails.

You'll get athletes who wont take anything at all, yet who will still try and compete with the dopers and cant. Who feel robbed that their careers were cut short because they refused to take drugs.

You'll always get people who cheat or push the envelope. The whole problem with doping is that the culture in cycling stops people speaking out about it and it appears that Lance was a bully and was one of the people at the top who prevented people from speaking out about it.

I really would suggest reading Tyler Hamiltons book. It really does explain it all really well. The other one worth reading is "The Death of Marco Pantani" not just because of the storey, but also because the blood work and Hematocrit stuff is all explained in there in great depth.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I really would suggest reading Tyler Hamiltons book. It really does explain it all really well

So where did you get your copy? Its not out yet in the UK, its on my Amazon list.

On a Kindle?

[fizzwheel]

I got it in Ireland picked it up in a little bookshop in Sligo.

This is the one I've been reading

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Secret-R...0249487&sr=8-1

Eating red meat affects people in different ways, altitude training does, people don't start on a level playing field when they even BEGIN training...

We are all individuals so two people with the exact same diet and regime will get different benefits.

I'm not saying drug taking is right, it does bad bad things to a body (as does exercise now I come to think of it, best to avoid it and stick to things with engines) I just think that in a situation where everyone's taking drugs it's no less level than a situation where nobody is.

[MisterTommyH]

Yes, but as humans by nature we eat red meat. As humans, some of us live at altitude.... so these are all things that could be considered 'natural' and therefore the differences of effects could be considered acceptable. Harnessing these and using them in the way that gives you optimum benefit is all about making the best of yourself.

In no way could EPO, blood transfusions or steroids be considered natural, and therefore you are getting an artificial advantage.

Also, your argument assumes that everyone was doping. Even given the number of people who have given evidence I do not think this is the case. There are people who have tried to out doping and been laughed out. And what about the person who could have been a competitor in a clean race, but had a concience, or didn't want to take the risks of drugs. Not a level playing field for them.