THE 202-PAGE report on the Lance Armstrong doping scandal that the US Anti-Doping Agency dropped yesterday is damning.
It makes the case that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs to in every major event he has ever competed in.
More damningly, it paints Armstrong as the driving force behind a sophisticated, worldwide doping ring involving riders, coaches, and trainers.
At this point, there is only one argument left for Armstrong to make: everyone was doing it. Specifically, 20 of 21 top-3 finishers from 1999 to 2005 were doing it, and 36 of 45 top-3 finishers from 1996 to 2010 were doing it. Take a look at this paragraph (which was slipped into the introduction of the report without much comment) in the USADA report:
Twenty of the twenty-one podium finishers in the Tour de France from 1999 through 2005 have been directly tied to likely doping through admissions, sanctions, public investigations or exceeding the UCI hematocrit threshold. Of the forty-five podium finishes during the time period between 1996 and 2010, thirty-six were by riders similarly tainted by doping.
So in a 15-year period, there were only nine riders who managed to succeed without cheating, according to the USADA.
It’s fair to say that in that period, doping was a competitive element of the sport. You could argue that no one got an unfair advantage by doping because everyone was competing on the same (albeit outlawed) chemical playing field.
What do you think?
I voted yes. He is the “in-form” Irish striker in the Premiership this season. Fair enough, Best has scored a few goals but his all round play isn’t as good as Walters. The Stoke man offers pace, strength, work rate and can bang in a goal or two.
Would it be mental to put McCarthy or Fahey in behind Keane?
Yip, it would. We need a physical presence up front. Jon Walters is the man.
What about Skokes? Maybe manager should be looking at what’s best for team and putting personal differences behind him…
yes i agree stokes is the manor best
Stokes?? Are you for real??
I feel it would be foolish to play an extra man in midfield because the team is used to playing together in a 442. Probably not a good idea to go messing about with players and tactics. If keane was up front on his own he would forget to stay on the central defenders toes and be running all over the place. We need the physical presence of Walters in the frontline battle.
Walters deserves a shot. He was impressive during his cameo versus Armenia. Dont forget the cat is no in the bag!
No, he should stick to the journalism !!
:)
I would be very happy if Walters starts. He is a prescene but much more than a “big man” up front. Has a good first touch and a decent range of passing. We have a surprisingly decent range of options up front at the moment with Keane, Doyle, Long, Walters, Cox and Best. If Conor Sammon starts to get a bit more playing time at Wigan he could sharpen up too
Eh Ch’yeah!
yes walters should start up front with robbie keane,we have to stay with a 4 4 2 formation and go for it
Personally I would choose Walters up front with Best. Keane is rusty and his best days are behind him! Either way a One nil to us will set us up nicely.
Scored a great goal for Galaxy last week? I think Doyle being sent off v Armenia showed us the potential of Walters up front on his own..
James McCarthy – good player, should be starting every game
Perry groves !!!