Several friends have asked me about this story since the 60 Minutes episode (which I didn't see) aired this past weekend, featuring Armstrong's former teammate, and convicted liar and doper, Tyler Hamilton. Hamilton, whom I'm told has a tell-all book coming out, alleged that he witnessed Armstrong dope. The problem, of course, is that Hamilton has no credibility. Neither does Armstrong's other former teammate, Floyd Landis, another convicted liar and doper. One former teammate who does have credibility, George Hincapie, isn't saying what he told the grand jury.
During an era of rampant - nearly universal - doping in professional cycling, I would be surprised if Lance Armstrong did not dope. But he cannot be convicted in a court or law - and should not be convicted in the court of public opinion - only on the testimony of those who have been proven to lie and cheat, and seek to profit from telling what they now say is "the truth." I'm content to wait until we learn what Big George said.
One further issue question is what happens if Armstrong is legally convicted of having doped. Can the Tour de France strip him of his titles, even though he never tested positive before, during or after the race? If they do strip his titles, who gets them? Those who finished second in those years? Ullrich (known doper)? Beloki (known doper)? Basso (known doper)? Zulle (known doper)? Perhaps they can give all seven titles to current Radio Shack rider Andreas Kloden, who finished second to Armstrong in 2004 and has not (yet) been found to dope.
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