Once a symbol of perseverance, Lance Armstrong now seemsdestined to go down in history as one of the most brazen dope cheats that sporthas ever seen. After sensationally conceding defeat in his fight to contest thecharges in August, the Texan's world caved in further when the InternationalCycling Union (UCI) erased him from the sport's history.
The US Anti-Doping Agency in a damning report claimed thatArmstrong, was at the heart of "the most sophisticated, professionalisedand successful doping programme that sport has ever seen". UCI president Pat McQuaid told reporters hewas "sickened" by the revelations, adding: "Lance Armstrong hasno place in cycling."
The decision leaves Armstrong's sporting legacy in tattersbut for all his detractors, there have been just as many admirers. For hissupporters, the doping allegations pale into comparison beside his battle withlife-threatening cancer and the work of his charitable foundation.
Doctors had given Armstrong a less than 50 percent chance ofsurvival when he was diagnosed in 1996 with testicular cancer that had spreadto his lungs and brain. He persevered through surgery and chemotherapy andreturned to cycling but was little known in his homeland when he won his firstTour de France title in 1999.
He raised cycling's profile in the United States which gavehim a platform to promote cancer awareness and research. The Lance ArmstrongFoundation has raised almost $500 million since it was created in 1997. But inthe aftermath of the allegations, several top sponsors dropped Armstrong and heeven quit as chairman of Livestrong. Even in his glory days of cycling, manywere sceptical of his powers.
After his 2000 Tour triumph, French authorities probed hisUS Postal Service team but brought no charges. In 2004, a Texas promotionscompany balked at paying him a $5 million bonus for his sixth tour title becauseof doping allegations by European media.
Two books published in Europe, "L.A. Confidential"and "L.A. Official", alleged he doped and in 2005. Armstrong foughtback with denials and even court action, before briefly launching a comeback in2009, but in the end the sheer weight of evidence against him including testimony from 11 formerteam-mates proved too much to withstand.
