Lance Armstrong Banned and Stripped of TDF Titles

[GrumpyOldGuy]

On what basis can they demand their money back ?

When he rode for them he delivered the advertising exposure that they paid for - in spades.

It would be hard to claim that they have not received fair value for their money.

 

Its a little different Guy, in that US Postal are effectively a government agency and hence public funds (tax payers money) was used to sponsor the team. In this respect if it is proven that LA or the team or the sport directors used said "public funds" to buy illegal stimulants for the team their contract would be in breach and they could institute legal proceedings to recover the public's funds.

 

To date, obviously, they haven't done anything, but they have said they are watching the case and, I assume, will refer it for legal advice.

Edited September 5, 2012 by GrumpyOldGuy

[eddy]

Its a little different Guy, in that US Postal are effectively a government agency and hence public funds (tax payers money) was used to sponsor the team. In this respect if it is proven that LA or the team or the sport directors used said "public funds" to buy illegal stimulants for the team their contract would be in breach and they could institute legal proceedings to recover the public's funds.

 

 

I think that is the case the Feds were trying to make in their aborted investigation. I'm not sure if they will be able to make that one stick...

[Slowbee]

On what basis can they demand their money back ?

When he rode for them he delivered the advertising exposure that they paid for - in spades.

It would be hard to claim that they have not received fair value for their money.

 

Guy, not really sure I understand the issues myself. If one company is wanting their money back, will they all want it back ?

 

Edit: Grumpy, already replied.

[eddy]

One legal case not mentioned is the 2006 UK libel case which was settled out of court against The London Times newspaper over an article which previewed David Walsh’s LA Confidential .

 

Fortunately for LA, Times Newspapers is owned by News International and Rupert Murdoch is very much a let bygones be bygones type of guy, and is unlikely to want to fight this. NOT.

 

http://www.pressgaze...storycode=49916

 

Also, as Lord Archer AKA Jeffery Archer found to his chagrin, lying to a court when you are suing a newspaper for libel is a criminal offence in the UK and if you are guilty you go to jail; even if you are a celebrity and a member of the House of Lords.

[Dirtbreath]

 

 

Dude, I'm just posting articles for an all round view. The way you get your knickers in a knot shows your quite a die-hard fan. I think it's been proven again and again that Lance is quite the asshole as a person, although a great bike rider. I think that's where people get confused in supporting him.

 

PS. Appreciate the article by the way. Not knocking your posting it.

 

Not at all. Not a fan of LA's supposed persona. I do think though that the tall trees catch the wind and so easy for all the haters to bash away now. Not a hater either. Have met sports stars and celebrities who were supposed to be ales and turned out to be nice blokes. I personally just don't know.

Edited September 5, 2012 by Dirtbreath

[Dirtbreath]

 

 

Guy, not really sure I understand the issues myself. If one company is wanting their money back, will they all want it back ?

 

Edit: Grumpy, already replied.

 

If the evidence is there it will be a US Postal Team liability as I'm sure the rot doesn't stop at LA.

[Dirtbreath]

http://howsbrian.com/2012/08/how-lance-and-livestrong-totally-screwed-me/

 

Just a perspective from someone who should have been helped by Livestrong. Nothing really to do with LA's guilt or innocence on the doping charges

 

Great piece which again shows how Lance polarises people's attitudes towards him based on their experiences of him, his foundation or armchair fanaticism.

 

Through all my experiences I have yet to experience this or any direct interaction/support from Livestrong. I wonder if we are directly getting benefits through the drug companies?

[The Guy in Pink]

Its a little different Guy, in that US Postal are effectively a government agency and hence public funds (tax payers money) was used to sponsor the team. In this respect if it is proven that LA or the team or the sport directors used said "public funds" to buy illegal stimulants for the team their contract would be in breach and they could institute legal proceedings to recover the public's funds.

 

To date, obviously, they haven't done anything, but they have said they are watching the case and, I assume, will refer it for legal advice.

 

The US Postal may be a little different, but in general sponsors whose sponsorships contracts have long expired will have a hard time proving that they did not recieve fair value during the term of their contracts. How can you breach an expired contract?

[dracs]

Great piece which again shows how Lance polarises people's attitudes towards him based on their experiences of him, his foundation or armchair fanaticism.

 

Through all my experiences I have yet to experience this or any direct interaction/support from Livestrong. I wonder if we are directly getting benefits through the drug companies?

The direct programs are I think very US centric which is understandable given that their health system leave many people with cancer without treatment if they don't have the right medical plan.

 

How is your health now Dirtbreath?

[Dirtbreath]

The direct programs are I think very US centric which is understandable given that their health system leave many people with cancer without treatment if they don't have the right medical plan.

 

How is your health now Dirtbreath?

 

Understandable. That money doesnt go a long way seeing how much all this costs.

 

Session 5 of 12 started today. Tough, tough day. Been battling a chest infection, back spasm and the hayfever (so amazing listening to rain tonight). After no 6 we'll do scans and bloods to see if this muti is working.

 

I have noticed a change in the chemo rooms over the past 3 years. The vibe is less morbid and there seems to be a chattiness. For want of a better description, some partners seem to brag about their patient's condition. I stick to myself and exchange basics and pleasantries but dont do the tea party thing. I wonder if the Livestrong exposure has made this a more comfortable topic. As well as the deaths of some high profile sport starts and celebrities: Fignon, Seve, Farah, Yauch, Jobs, Swayze, Hopper! The list goes on and many more living with it and raising awareness.

 

Wonder if Apple will do something?

[Tumbleweed]

Not directly Lance-related…

 

http://www.cyclingne...sps-epo-courier

 

Team USPS directeur sportif Johnny Weltz brought EPO to team riders in Spain in 1997, Tyler Hamilton said in his book, which was published today. Weltz denied the charges, calling them "unbelievable" and "absurd".

Edited September 6, 2012 by Tumbleweed

[scotty]

Expect many such instances.

 

This whole saga will continue to remain messy, any one can make a claim and it will be taken in. If i was linked in the past in any way with LA whether through one of his cycling teams or foundations, and decided to make bucks what's to stop me from "telling" my side in a book or paid interview. I'ts not like LA is going to refute it now, if he does he will be seen as going against his decision not to fight accusations any longer.

[Tumbleweed]

Expect many such instances.

 

This whole saga will continue to remain messy, any one can make a claim and it will be taken in. If i was linked in the past in any way with LA whether through one of his cycling teams or foundations, and decided to make bucks what's to stop me from "telling" my side in a book or paid interview. I'ts not like LA is going to refute it now, if he does he will be seen as going against his decision not to fight accusations any longer.

 

Scotty, do you see him fighting civil suits that come out of this that may hit him in the pocket?

Edited September 6, 2012 by Tumbleweed

[GrumpyOldGuy]

The US Postal may be a little different, but in general sponsors whose sponsorships contracts have long expired will have a hard time proving that they did not recieve fair value during the term of their contracts. How can you breach an expired contract?

 

Yeah, dont know, there may be a clause which allows them to litigate retroactively for illegal activities, but hard to say I guess without seeing the contract, plus I dont fully understand USA law which is quite a bit different to ours.

 

Like Eddy said, the Federal investigation was based along the same lines but just couldn't quite get sufficient evidence to make criminal charges stick, so it may be difficult, but with the new evidence from USADA that could also change?.

 

I dont know, we are just guessing really, but certainly if criminal charges could be upheld, they could litigate for their funds returned.

[dracs]

Understandable. That money doesnt go a long way seeing how much all this costs.

 

Session 5 of 12 started today. Tough, tough day. Been battling a chest infection, back spasm and the hayfever (so amazing listening to rain tonight). After no 6 we'll do scans and bloods to see if this muti is working.

 

I have noticed a change in the chemo rooms over the past 3 years. The vibe is less morbid and there seems to be a chattiness. For want of a better description, some partners seem to brag about their patient's condition. I stick to myself and exchange basics and pleasantries but dont do the tea party thing. I wonder if the Livestrong exposure has made this a more comfortable topic. As well as the deaths of some high profile sport starts and celebrities: Fignon, Seve, Farah, Yauch, Jobs, Swayze, Hopper! The list goes on and many more living with it and raising awareness.

 

Wonder if Apple will do something?

All strength to you - and like that guy said - fight like hell! Edited September 6, 2012 by dracs

[andydude]

Anybody read Hamilton's book yet? One article: Team-mate tells of Armstrong’s ‘Edgar’ plan / http://www.bdlive.co.za/sport/othersport/2012/09/06/team-mate-tells-of-armstrongs-edgar-plan

 

And then I though it's time for something different and inspirational...

 

http://www.bdlive.co.za/sport/othersport/2012/09/06/former-formula-one-driver-tackles-a-new-race

 

Former Formula One driver tackles a new race

 

LONDON — Alessandro Zanardi simply cannot stop racing.

The one-time Formula One driver enjoyed a golden finale to his "magical adventure" by winning the Paralympic men’s individual H4 time trial in paracycling — a hand cycle powered by the arms — on Wednesday at the Brands Hatch racetrack, where he once raced cars.

Zanardi blitzed to gold over the 16km course in 24 minutes, 50,22 seconds, finishing more than 27 seconds ahead of German Norbert Mosandl, with American Oscar Sanchez taking bronze.

"This is a great accomplishment, one of the greatest of my life," Zanardi said of his victory. "I worked very hard to get here. It was great to live such an experience at 45."

It’s really incredible when you realise the 45-year-old almost died in a horrific accident in a 2001 CART race in Germany.

"For a brief moment I found myself thinking of all the things I’ve done," Zanardi said on his Twitter feed before leaving for the London Paralympics, adding: "I’m a lucky boy!"

His journey to the Paralympics began at the American Memorial 500 on September 15 2001 at the Eurospeedway Lausitz in Germany — the only American-based series to continue on the weekend after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Zanardi, a former two-time CART champion, had experienced a difficult season and started 22nd in a field of 27, but the car was responding well. He was enjoying the drive, passing one car after another until, with 13 laps to go, he was in the lead.

Zanardi went into his final pit stop and the crew chief waved him off, urging him to, "Go, go, go". But as he built up speed to get back into the race, the car spun out of control and he veered onto the track. Canadian driver Alex Tagliani, travelling at close to 320km/h, could not avoid him. The reinforced carbon fibre cone of Tagliani’s car sliced through the area beside Zanardi’s left front wheel and cockpit, the weakest part of the vehicle.

On the track, Dr Terry Trammel slipped and fell as he raced to the wreckage. He thought he had fallen in oil, but it was actually Zanardi’s blood.

The crash had severed Zanardi’s right leg at the knee and his left leg at the thigh, five inches above the knee. The driver’s lower legs had disintegrated like those of land-mine victims, said Dr Steve Olvey, director of medical affairs for CART at the time.

He had lost 70% of his blood, his pelvis was fractured in five places and he had a lacerated liver. But Zanardi was alive.

At the hospital, Zanardi’s wife Daniela told him he had lost his legs. But that was only part of the problem. He had been in a coma for three days, his heart had stopped at least once, and he was alive only because of the medical response to his injuries. Much work for his recovery lay ahead.

Nascar driver Max Papis, who had known Zanardi since they were youngsters in Italy, recalled visiting his friend in hospital, where Zanardi glanced at Papis’s new shoes.

"He said to ‘look at the positive side of this. For a long time I will not have to spend money buying those,’" Papis said.

Pushing the limits, he began to walk again only months after the accident. Always tinkering, Zanardi used technology and his experience from working with elite race cars to forge a new life — to adapt to his new circumstances, to learn how to use prosthetic legs.

"You don’t know how many times I fell just taking ridiculous small steps," he told the BBC. "It was bloody hard."

Two years after the accident, he returned to Lausitz to finish the 13 laps, and later began racing specially modified touring cars. But he had many other races to run. Pity didn’t occur to him.

"He’s a lion," said his former team-mate, Jimmy Vasser. "He just never gave up."

Zanardi thought of it as part of his destiny, just something that happened to him, said Chip Ganassi, who owns the team Zanardi once raced for.

"That was like a speed bump for him," Ganassi said.

Sapa-AP, with Reuters