Lance Armstrong: The canary sings

I feel that I have been wronged; wronged because I believed Lance and trusted him.

Brig Ayaz Peer Mohammed January 19, 2013
They say when you are cornered and there is no way out, the canary sings.

In Lance Armstrong's case this is what has happened.

As I watched the first part of his interview with Oprah, he has tried to come out smelling like roses, of course with Oprah's help. Lance Armstrong was the greatest cyclist ever! 7 tour de france titles is a remarkable achievement, as was his come back from cancer and then building the Livestrong Institute.

Here was a man who connived to cheat not only his name in the history books but our conscience too; we all bought the wrist bands and helped his charity, even here in Pakistan.

As I look back, his stone cold reply to all the accusations was always that "I never failed a test", knowing full well that EPO was not tested. He lied in front of a jury when asked about Michael Ferrari as if he agreed, he would be nodding to cheating.

He had the gall to tell Oprah that his case of cheating was not as big as the East German Sports Machine of the 70s and 80s. Moreover, he has stated that he thinks his crime doesn't fit the 'death penalty' and that he shouldn't be banned from all sports.
"I deserve to be punished. Not sure I deserve a death penalty."

To him, I want to ask, who are you to make any conjectures?

Lance Armstrong was a CHEAT and is a CHEAT.

What annoys me more than the actual cheating is the cover up the team did during the whole period and afterwards. Is that not shameful?

US Postal must be banned and that too forever. All associated with the cheat are cheats too and must face the music, which is what the USDA must decide quickly.

I have been raised to be just and stand by justice. I feel that I have been wronged; wronged because I believed Lance and trusted him. I idolised him as did many Americans and French and when he took up the charity even NIKE, his sponsor contributed hugely.

Today they have had to drop him and not only that, he had to step down as the head of his foundation. This is like giving up your child for adoption although you have everything to raise and support him or her except morals.

Would you do it?

I am sure not.

His selfishness may lead to the charity closing down due to lack of support or then, worse still having to change its name.

My take is that we don’t make him a top story and let him wallow in his own guilt as that is the best punishment a cheat deserves; total ignorance by all.

Let the canary sing in isolation so that his song goes unnoticed.

Read more by Brig Ayaz here.
WRITTEN BY:
Brig Ayaz Peer Mohammed A retired brigadier from Karachi who is a sports enthusiast and a self proclaimed sports analyst. Has played most games at a serious level in the Army.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (8)

Mohommad Asif | 11 years ago | Reply Veeennnaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Salman Butt | 11 years ago | Reply No I think he should be given a chance.
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